South Africa coach Hugo Broos says the 2026 World Cup will be his last as he reflects on Bafana Bafana’s historic run and considers his future after their dramatic defeat to Canada.
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has admitted the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the last of his career after Bafana Bafana’s heartbreaking Round of 32 exit to Canada. However, the veteran Belgian stopped short of confirming whether he will also step down as South Africa manager following the tournament.
South Africa’s memorable World Cup journey came to an agonizing end in Los Angeles, where they were beaten 1-0 by Canada thanks to Stephen Eustaquio’s dramatic stoppage-time winner. The late goal denied Bafana Bafana extra time and ended what had already become the nation’s most successful World Cup campaign.
Despite the disappointment, Broos urged caution when discussing his future, insisting he would not make any emotional decisions immediately after the defeat. The 74-year-old has frequently spoken about wanting to spend more time with his family in Belgium after a lengthy career in football.
Some big words being thrown around by Hugo Broos…
“We will win that game (vs Canada) and go further, I think that Morocco is already thinking..not again Bafana Bafana” pic.twitter.com/VmEIkPiUQa
— Tsar FC (@TsarbucksFC) June 28, 2026
“It’s not clever to take decisions when you are disappointed,” Broos told reporters after the match. “I will see in the next days what I will do for the future. For sure, this is my last World Cup.”
Before the knockout clash, Broos had already described South Africa’s tournament as a success. Since taking charge in 2021, he has transformed a national team that had failed to qualify for the World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010 into a disciplined and highly competitive side built largely around home-based players.
Their campaign recovered impressively after a difficult start. An opening 2-0 defeat to Mexico, which also saw two South African players sent off, was followed by a hard-earned draw against the Czech Republic before a historic 1-0 victory over South Korea secured qualification for the knockout stages for the first time in the country’s history.
South Africa once again displayed tremendous resilience against Canada, spending long periods under pressure while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams produced a series of outstanding saves to keep the match level. However, the defence was finally breached in stoppage time when Eustaquio’s strike ended Bafana Bafana’s dream run.
Broos leaves behind a remarkable football legacy regardless of his final decision. After an accomplished playing career with Anderlecht, Club Brugge and Belgium, he enjoyed major success as a coach, winning league titles in Belgium, collecting four Belgian Coach of the Year awards, lifting the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon in 2017, and guiding South Africa to their greatest-ever World Cup achievement.
