FIFA World Cup 2026: Hugo Broos joins elite coaching list with Ancelotti and Deschamps

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos will lead Bafana Bafana into the FIFA World Cup 2026™ as one of a select group of managers who have played at the World Cup before coaching at it.

FIFA counts 16 coaches with World Cup playing experience among the 42 nations already qualified, placing Broos in rarefied company alongside icons like Didier Deschamps, Ronald Koeman, Fabio Cannavaro and Hong Myung‑bo.

The opener and Group A picture

The tournament opens on June 11, 2026 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, where Mexico face South Africa in a rematch of the 2010 curtain‑raiser, a fittingly iconic stage for Bafana’s return to the finals.

Multiple outlets have confirmed the Group A lineup as Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and the UEFA Path D playoff winner (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Republic of Ireland), with the full schedule placing South Africa’s other group clashes on June 18 and June 24 in the U.S. and Mexico respectively.

This opener will be loaded with storylines. The Azteca becomes the first stadium to host World Cup openers across three different editions (1970, 1986, 2026), while Mexico and South Africa rekindle memories of Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic strike in 2010.

Broos the player: experience that travels

Before becoming a title‑winning coach, Broos was a rugged centre‑back who helped Belgium to fourth place at Mexico 1986, appearing in three matches — including a 2–1 group‑stage meeting with hosts Mexico at the same Azteca. Forty years on, he meets Javier Aguirre, who started every match for Mexico at Mexico ’86, again on the touchline for the 2026 opener.

That shared history isn’t just nostalgia. Broos has felt the tempo, heat and pressure of a World Cup at altitude and understands how tournament football compresses preparation, recovery and game‑management into a relentless rhythm.

For a South African squad built on transition speed and defensive cohesion, his insight into controlling phases (especially in the middle third) could be pivotal in the Azteca and beyond.

Broos vs Aguirre: a duel layered by history

The opener pits Broos against Aguirre, opponents as players at Mexico ’86 and now peers with decades of elite coaching. Photographic and match‑sheet records capture that 1986 clash, a living thread that elevates the 2026 reunion.

Brazil, France and the bigger 2026 canvas

World Cup 2026 is the first 48‑team, tri‑nation event, with Carlo Ancelotti confirmed as Brazil coach and Didier Deschamps continuing with France  and both among the select “played at a World Cup” cohort. Their presence underscores the premium on tournament expertise at the top end of the bracket.

List of All 16 coaches:

(Alphabetical by nation; notes reference their player‑era achievements)

• Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil) — Italy midfielder, Italia ’90 appearances including the third‑place match.
• Otto Addo (Ghana) — Two appearances at Germany 2006; Ghana reached the Round of 16 in their debut.
• Javier Aguirre (Mexico) — Starter in Mexico ’86; quarter‑final run, first Mexican player sent off at a World Cup (QF vs West Germany).
• Fabio Cannavaro (Uzbekistan) — Italy captain, World Cup winner 2006, played every minute; also featured in 1998, 2002, 2010.
• Didier Deschamps (France) — France captain, World Cup winner 1998; also one of three to win as player and coach (2018).
• Hossam Hassan (Egypt) — Played every minute for Egypt at Italia ’90.
• Hong Myung‑bo (Korea Republic) — 2002 Bronze Ball; led a thrilling home‑soil run to fourth place, also at 1990, 1994, 1998.
• Hugo Broos (South Africa) — Belgium defender, Mexico ’86 fourth place; featured in three matches including vs Mexico.
• Néstor Lorenzo (Colombia) — Argentina defender, Italia ’90 squad; runners‑up.
• Mauricio Pochettino (USA) — Argentina defender, Korea/Japan 2002 group‑stage appearances.
• Tony Popovic (Australia) — Australia defender, Germany 2006 squad; now Socceroos head coach.
• Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) — Right‑back, Germany 2006 Round of 16 appearance vs Mexico; later coached Argentina to 2022 title.
• Jamal Sellami (Jordan) — Morocco midfielder, France 1998; one appearance vs Scotland.
• Ståle Solbakken (Norway) — Midfielder, France 1998; played group matches and Round of 16 vs Italy.
• Pape Thiaw (Senegal) — Forward, Korea/Japan 2002; assisted the Golden Goal in Round of 16 vs Sweden (back‑heel to Henri Camara).
• Ronald Koeman (Netherlands) — Defender, Italia ’90 ever‑present; USA ’94 captain, quarter‑final exit vs Brazil.

Two coaches headed to 2026 were World Cup squad members but did not play: Julen Lopetegui (Qatar) at USA ’94 and Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire) at Germany 2006.