Hugo Broos says he is open to changing course after South Africa’s World Cup last-32 exit, with the 74-year-old Belgian suggesting he may not step away from the sport after all. Broos’ comments came following the defeat by Canada in Los Angeles, which ended Bafana Bafana’s run in the tournament.
Quick facts
- Hugo Broos hinted he could reverse his decision to quit as South Africa coach after the World Cup last-32 loss to Canada.
- Broos said it would be “not clever” to change plans while disappointed, but acknowledged the possibility of continuing in another capacity.
- Canada advanced with a 1-0 victory, sealed by Stephen Eustaquio’s strike in the 92nd minute.
- South Africa’s campaign featured a landmark Group A win over South Korea to reach the knockout stage for the first time after earlier first-round exits.
- South Africa’s next assignment will be qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with Group D also including Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.
Speaking after the match, Broos made it clear he would not be making rash calls in the immediate aftermath. “It is not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed, so I will not do it here,” he said at his post-match press conference in Los Angeles.
Broos had previously announced that he planned to quit football following a three-decade coaching career, with the end of South Africa’s World Cup run expected to be the finish line. In a pre-tournament interview, he said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
However, a South African Football Association insider suggested the coach could now be reconsidering. The source indicated Broos may continue as head coach or take on another role, such as scouting and monitoring South Africans playing in Europe.
Broos is widely credited with reshaping South Africa’s fortunes, changing them from a side that had been dismissed as a “joke” into a team that reached the World Cup after a 16-year absence. His appointment in 2021 also marked a striking contrast in public interest: a goalless friendly against Botswana in Johannesburg reportedly attracted fewer than 200 spectators.
Momentum grew quickly in the lead-up to the tournament. Before travelling to North America, South Africa played a warm-up match against Panama in Cape Town, drawing a full 50,000-capacity crowd.
From group-stage breakthrough to knockout heartbreak
Broos then delivered one of South Africa’s defining World Cup moments with a historic Group A triumph over South Korea last week. That win propelled the team into the knockout stage for the first time, following first-round exits in each of their three previous World Cup appearances.
In Los Angeles on Sunday, South Africa’s hopes were ended by Canada, who proved faster and more forceful. Broos said his side could not match the power and speed of the co-hosts, and Canada’s late goal punished the lack of intensity, with Stephen Eustaquio scoring in the 92nd minute to clinch a 1-0 result.
“I have said many times that modern football is more than just technique. There is power and speed, and we do not have it in our team yet. Canada had those qualities,” Broos said.
After the return to Johannesburg for South Africa, Canada’s attention turns to the round of 16. The next opponent will be either the Netherlands or Morocco, with that knockout match scheduled for Houston on Saturday.
For Broos and his squad, the calendar already shifts to the next big objective: qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa are drawn in Group D alongside co-hosts Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.
