Broos Explains Why Bafana Choose Jamaica Over European Friendly
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has explained the reasoning behind selecting Jamaica as South Africa’s final FIFA World Cup warm-up opponents, revealing that while there were opportunities to face European nations such as Serbia, travel logistics and financial constraints made those fixtures impractical.
Broos said it would have been ideal to play against a European side ahead of the tournament, especially with South Africa set to face the Czech Republic in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, after a demanding club season for many players, travelling to Europe was not considered feasible.
As a result, Bafana Bafana opted to face Jamaica in Mexico before opening their World Cup campaign against El Tri at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June.
This means South Africa will head into the World Cup having played only CONCACAF opposition in their preparations, following two friendly matches against Panama in March.
Bafana will therefore enter the tournament without facing either Asian or European opposition, despite being grouped with Czechia and South Korea in Group A.
Broos admitted that several options were explored, but travel demands and financial considerations proved to be major obstacles.
“The best thing would have been to play against an Asian, European, or Central American team,” said Broos.
“But you also need opportunities to play against them. First of all, can we even go and play in Europe? You also have to take into account the travelling. You have to see where you are playing and whether there is a direct flight to Mexico or if you first have to travel to another city. Those are all things you have to think about.
“There were some possibilities. For example, Serbia wanted to play against us, but they wanted the match on 29 May, which was not possible because the UEFA Champions League final is on 30 May.
“If you play on 29 May, you would have to leave South Africa on 26 May, and you must also remember that the Mamelodi Sundowns players were involved in the CAF Champions League final on 25 May. There were certain things we simply could not do.
“Secondly, there is also the financial side. Don’t think that playing against Jamaica or Panama is free. SAFA still has to pay match fees for those games.
“I’ll give you the example of Argentina. Argentina wanted to play against us, but they asked for five million euros, which is a huge amount of money.
“There is also a limit to what SAFA can afford. Sometimes you just have to be happy that there is a game available, but then you also have to ask yourself whether it is the right opponent.
“We had options like Cuba, who are ranked 174th in the world, and Belize, another Central American team ranked around 180th. I’m sorry, but I cannot play against opponents like that.
“Then suddenly Jamaica became available. They are ranked 74th in the world, and that presented a good opportunity.
“You don’t always get exactly what you want. It depends on travel, finances, and logistics.
“I’m happy with the teams we are going to play against. I know they are all from the CONCACAF region, but they will provide us with good matches, and that is the most important thing for me.”
Bafana Bafana will also face Nicaragua at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday — another CONCACAF opponent — before departing for the Americas on Sunday.
