Hugo Broos believes South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest achievements of his coaching career, despite Bafana Bafana’s heartbreaking Round of 32 exit to Canada.
A stoppage-time goal from Stephen Eustáquio condemned South Africa to a narrow 1-0 defeat, ending their historic World Cup run. But while the result brought disappointment, Broos insisted it should not overshadow what his players had accomplished over the past month.
The Belgian, who guided South Africa to their first World Cup knockout appearance, said reaching the Round of 32 had exceeded expectations and should be viewed as a success rather than a failure.
“Nobody expected, only hoped that we should be in the second round,” Broos told reporters after the match.
“Again, I’m still proud of my team. We did it well. We did it very well in this World Cup.”
Hugo Broos believes South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest achievements of his coaching career, despite Bafana Bafana’s heartbreaking Round of 32 exit to Canada.
Broos has enjoyed success throughout his managerial career, winning league titles at club level before leading Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title.
Yet he revealed that South Africa’s World Cup journey deserves to stand alongside that famous AFCON triumph.
“For me, what we did here during the last three or four weeks, I can arrange it at the same level as winning AFCON with Cameroon.”
The veteran coach admitted he had been frustrated by criticism following Bafana’s opening defeat to Mexico, insisting many underestimated the challenge his largely domestic-based squad faced against the world’s elite.
He maintained that simply qualifying for the World Cup after a 24-year absence before progressing beyond the group stage represented remarkable progress.
While Broos refused to dictate how any future coach should manage the national team, he identified one transformation he hopes will endure long after his departure.
According to the Belgian, changing the mentality inside the squad has been his greatest contribution during his five years in charge.
“When I came to South Africa five years ago, I didn’t believe my eyes,” he said.
“The mentality was not good. I had to stop training and tell them, ‘Guys, this is your job.'”
Broos believes that mindset has completely changed.
“I think certainly if there is something changing in the national team, it’s the mentality.”
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He pointed to his players’ commitment against Canada, saying they fought until the final whistle despite the physical demands of the contest.
“They wanted even to die on the field and this is something that has to stay in this team.”
Although the late defeat denied South Africa a dream last-16 meeting with either Morocco or the Netherlands, Broos believes the experience will benefit the next generation of Bafana players.
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He stressed that the tournament exposed the standards required to compete consistently at the highest level, while also proving South Africa belongs on football’s biggest stage.
