Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has cast fresh doubt over his previously stated intention to retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hinting that the final decision on his future will depend on how the team performs on the global stage.
The veteran tactician, who is expected to be the oldest coach at the tournament, last year announced the World Cup would be his Swansong.
The 73-year-old has overseen a steady rise in Bafana’s fortunes, restoring belief in a side that had struggled for consistency in previous years. His tenure has been marked by a clear tactical identity and a renewed emphasis on discipline and structure.
The Belgian mentor will guide Bafana to only their fourth World Cup. They have featured in the global soccer showpiece three times in 1998, 2002, and 2010. Their World Cup record includes nine matches played, with two wins, four draws, and three losses, scoring 11 goals and conceding 16.
Ahead of the international friendly matches against Panama on Friday [Durban] and Tuesday [Cape Town], Broos made it clear that his immediate priority remains delivering a strong showing at the World Cup, a tournament that could ultimately shape how and when he steps away from the dugout.
WHAT BROOS SAID ABOUT HIS RETIREMENT
“Maybe it was not a good idea for me to say that after the World Cup I should stop my career as a coach,” Broos said. “At that moment, you can say things, but when the time comes, you have to decide. So, let’s wait and see what will happen in three to four months.”
“For me, if I should stop, I will stop in beauty. It has to be a beautiful end. That means we have to perform well in the World Cup.”
“I will work as hard as I have worked already in the past five years to have a team at the World Cup that gets good results,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to do, and I don’t have the time to think about whether I will go or stay.”
Interestingly, his latest remarks come after SAFA president Danny Jordaan revealed the association will hold talks with Broos. During the unveiling of a new partnership with Standard Bank in Johannesburg, Jordaan stressed that coaching continuity remains a top priority.
“We have to discuss with him. He has indicated that at the end of the contract, he will retire. We will still have a conversation,” Jordaan said.
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