Broos Shifts Focus to World Cup After AFCON Heartbreak

Hugo Broos has urged South Africans to look ahead after Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in disappointment following defeat to Cameroon.

Speaking after the match, the Belgian coach struck a philosophical tone, acknowledging the pain of elimination while insisting that his side did not deserve to exit the tournament at that stage.

“That’s the way life is,” Broos said. “Our team did not deserve to lose..; this is not the result we came for, but we have to acknowledge that it is what it is.”

Bafana Bafana showed resilience and ambition during their AFCON journey, earning plaudits for their tactical discipline and competitive spirit. However, the loss to Cameroon brought their continental hopes to a halt, forcing Broos and his squad to reassess and reset.

With AFCON now out of the way, Broos has made it clear that attention will swiftly turn to the next major objective: the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We will now focus on preparing for our future objectives, with the World Cup in our sights,” he said.

South Africa already has a demanding schedule lined up as part of their World Cup preparations, with high-profile fixtures that will test the team against different footballing styles and levels of opposition.

For Broos, the road ahead is about building on lessons learned at AFCON and moulding a squad capable of competing on the global stage. While the AFCON exit stings, the veteran coach believes it can serve as a stepping stone rather than a setback.

The focus, he insists, is firmly on the future — and on ensuring that Bafana Bafana arrive at the World Cup better prepared, more mature, and ready to challenge the world’s best.

At the world cup, Bafana Bafana are set to face co-host Mexico on 11 June 2026, followed by a clash with Korea Republic on 18 June 2026. Their final group encounter is scheduled for 24 June 2026 against one of Denmark, Czech Republic, North Macedonia or Ireland.