Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has laid a target for his 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound team, outlining an ambition that would see South Africa script their own piece of history at the global tournament.
South Africa are in Group A at the World Cup, lining up against hosts Mexico and South Korea. The winner from the UEFA playoff involving the Czech Republic, Denmark and North Macedonia will complete this group.
This will be the fourth time for Bafana to participate in the World Cup, a tournament they debuted at the 1998 World Cup. Appearances at the 2002 and 2010 followed, and at all occasions, they have failed to progress past the group stage.
The 2010 edition saw South Africa set an unwanted record as the first hosts whose World Cup campaign ended in the group stage. Now, the calibre of Bafana’s opponents makes it a tricky pool for Broos and his men.
However, due to the 48-team expanded World Cup, there are windows of progression to the knockouts by the eight best third-placed teams from 12 groups. That increases the chances of the 1996 AFCON champions going through to the Round of 32.
BROOS CLEARS AIR ON TARGETING THE THIRD SPOT INSTEAD OF AIMING HIGHER
“I am often misunderstood when I mention third place. Previously, only the top two teams could advance from the group. Now, third place is also a pathway,” Broos explained. “Essentially, this means if you manage a draw and a win, you have a significant opportunity to progress. There are more chances available now. It is not because I mentioned third place that we are restricted to only aiming for that position.
“If we have the opportunity to finish first or second, we will certainly pursue it. However, this new format is crucial for the ‘smaller nations’. The major footballing powers naturally focus on the top two spots.
“When a team like Denmark enters our group, they will not be targeting third place; they won’t even consider it. Mexico will certainly be focused on the top two positions. And we are also thinking of first or second, that is for certain. But we know if we don’t achieve that in that group, which will be very difficult, there is still third place. So, you can’t say at a certain moment, ‘oh yeah, no.’”
Broos added: “You have to go till the last game. And the last game can give you a pass through the group stages, to survive the group stages. So, yeah, the motivation and the feeling are the same.
“You want to pass the group stages. That is our goal. If it’s first, second or third, whatever. But we want to pass the group stages. Let that be clear.”
Advancing past the group phase would be history for Bafana, who have failed to do so before.
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