South Africa head coach Hugo Broos confirms retirement after World Cup breakthrough and months of confusion

End of an era

On Friday 31 July, Hugo Broos announced he would not renew his contract as South Africa's head coach, ending a five-year tenure and retiring from professional football at 74. Speaking at a press conference, the Belgian pointed to the personal cost of leading a team thousands of kilometres from his family. "The fact of having to live far from my family and the many moments of solitude have led to this difficult decision," he said. Broos also connected the decision to the symmetry of his career: he had played for Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, and leading South Africa to the 2026 tournament forty years later felt like a natural end point.

“The fact of qualifying for the World Cup, forty years after I myself played the 1986 World Cup with Belgium as a player, closes the loop. That's why I decided not to renew my contract.”

World Cup breakthrough

Appointed in May 2021 after South Africa failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, Broos oversaw a steady revival. The team claimed the bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON, beating Morocco and Cape Verde in the knockout stage before losing to Nigeria on penalties in the semi-final, then overcoming DR Congo on penalties in the third-place match. The World Cup qualifying campaign ended a two-decade exile from the main draw, their only appearance since 2002 had been as hosts in 2010.

At the 2026 finals in North America, Bafana Bafana reached the round of 32 for the first time. They finished second in Group A, behind co-hosts Mexico, after beating South Korea 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with the Czech Republic. The victory over South Korea made Broos the oldest coach to win a match at the global finals, at 74 years and 75 days. The run ended with a 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada on 28 June. Immediately after that match, Broos sounded uncertain about his future.

“It will not be an easy decision after this good World Cup. But to say now that I stop or that I continue, I cannot.”

A messy July

What followed was a month of conflicting signals. On 10 July, the South African Football Association (SAFA) issued a statement denying that Broos had been sacked. On 22 July, another statement denied that a one-year contract extension had been offered. Broos himself told Belgian media in early July that his departure was "irrevocable" and that he might stay in an off-field role; SAFA called those remarks "completely false". Amid the back-and-forth, some outlets reported that SAFA had offered an extension to the end of the 2027 Cup of Nations next July, but Broos ultimately chose to retire. The episode closed on 31 July when SAFA president Danny Jordaan "thanked very much" the Belgian coach via social media.

What comes next

South Africa's immediate focus shifts to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The campaign kicks off with a home fixture against Guinea in late September, with co-hosts Kenya and Eritrea also in their pool. Broos, for his part, leaves the coaching profession with an emotional tribute to his time in South Africa.

“These were extraordinary years, punctuated by many high points and unique experiences. People I did not know have become friends for life. In thirty years of coaching career, I have never felt so much respect and gratitude. I will never forget many of these people and I will keep them in my heart for the rest of my life.”