Broos doesn't have much faith in Bafana's chances of playing well in the World Cup group stage! | OneFootball

The Belgian has some doubts.

Shocking surprise: Broos doesn't believe much in Bafana Bafana's chances of playing the role of the tearful ones in the 2026 World Cup!

The path ahead for South Africa's Bafana Bafana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup appears daunting, a reality head coach Hugo Broos acknowledged with sober clarity following the Group A draw. Paired with co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and the likely powerhouse from a UEFA playoff—most probably Denmark—the 1996 African champions face a monumental challenge.

Broos dissected the obstacles without illusion, beginning with a formidable opener. "It's not an easy draw. First of all, you have to play the first game of the tournament against Mexico in Azteca Stadium, a home game for Mexico, so it will be very tough for us," he stated, setting a pragmatic tone from the outset.

His initial reaction to the draw had contained a sliver of hope that was swiftly extinguished. "I was happy with Mexico and South Korea, and I hoped the last one would be something else. Now we will probably also have Denmark in our group," he admitted, confronting the prospect of two footballing giants standing in their way.

This lineup leads Broos to a frank assessment of their traditional qualification chances. "So we have, with Mexico and Denmark, two very big teams. It will be difficult for us to be first or second."

Yet, his focus swiftly shifted to a new avenue of hope introduced by the expanded tournament format. "But on the other side, with the new World Cup, the first eight third-place teams can go through. So we have to focus on that, and maybe we can be one of the best third-place finishers."

For a squad largely built around Betway Premiership talent since Broos took charge in 2021, the World Cup is framed as a critical learning experience, albeit an intensely difficult one. "I think it will be difficult at the World Cup; we don't have to forget that," he reiterated, emphasizing the steep climb. "It would have been better if the last team in our group had been another. Now we have Denmark, probably."

He concluded with a starkly realistic preview of the campaign's start, visualizing the immediate pressure a loss could bring. "We have Mexico first game; I can’t say we will win. This will be very difficult, so maybe you lose the first game, and then the next one is already a game you have to win."