Broos Reiterates Exit After The 2026 FIFA World Cup
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reiterated his intention to step down as the national team coach after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America. He firmly stated, “I don’t want to die on the bench.”
Broos signed a five-year contract with the South African Football Association (SAFA) in May 2021, taking over after South Africa failed to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
However, in a subsequent statement, Broos made a bold promise that people should “kill him” if Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the AFCON held in Ivory Coast last year, which they successfully did.
Having qualified, Bafana Bafana made history by reaching the AFCON semi-finals for the first time since 2000, ultimately losing to Nigeria. Despite the loss, they did not return home empty-handed. They secured the AFCON bronze medal for the first time in 24 years, defeating DR Congo on penalties.
The team has also qualified for the 2026 AFCON finals, which will take place in Morocco later this year and into next. They are currently on track to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Broos has made it clear that next year will be his last in the coaching role, initially stating he wouldn’t even consider a technical advisor position if asked by SAFA.
“You know, I have said it before that the decision was made. After the World Cup, I will stop,” said Broos. “My contract is finished, I will stop as a coach. I’m nearly 40 years coaching; I’m 73 years old, and I think there has to be a moment where you have to stop. I will not die on the bench. Next year, after the World Cup, we are finished.”
Broos, who famously led Cameroon to the AFCON title in 2017, continued: “Since I was 19 years old, I have been in football; first as a professional player and then as a coach. I think when I will stop next year, I can’t be at home with my wife and drink coffee. Of course, football will always be there.”
However, when pressed on the suggested role of Bafana Bafana technical advisor, Broos appeared to soften his stance: “Okay, you never know. Maybe I can be an advisor for South Africa or another team or whatever, but I don’t want to work anymore every day, this is for sure. It looks attractive to me, certainly, but we will see next year.
“It’s still one year left, and first of all, I want to focus on September [when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume], October, and December is the AFCON. I hope we can have good results in September and October so we can go to the World Cup, and this is the only thing I want now, and we will see after that.”
Broos made these comments ahead of Bafana Bafana’s two friendly matches against Tanzania at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 6 June and four days later against Mozambique at the same venue.
