South Africa’s World Cup campaign is already a success after reaching the knockout stages for the first time, but coach Hugo Broos said on Saturday his side are hungry for more when they face Canada in the last 32.
Broos’ side take on Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday after emerging from the group stages with a surprise 1-0 win over South Korea, and the Belgian said reaching the knockout rounds had achieved the team’s original goal.
“I think we can already say that the World Cup is a success for us,” Broos told reporters.
«Everyone expected and hoped that we would be in the second round. We are in the second round. But that does not mean that we are happy and that we will just play the match tomorrow and go home.»
“Once you’re there, you want more.”
Broos said South Africa would have to reproduce the level and mentality it showed against South Korea if it is to beat Canada, who he described as a physically imposing side that presses aggressively and gives opponents little time on the ball.
“They’re all pursuing the same goal,” he said. «The moment they lose the ball, everyone wants to win it back. That’s very difficult to play against.»
READ ALSO: FIFA World Cup 2026: Alphonso Davies fit for South Africa, says Canada coach Marsch
However, South Africa have grown in the tournament after losing their opening match against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Broos said the experience of playing on the biggest stage had helped his side adapt.
“The first game was very good for us,” he said. “Now we believe in ourselves.”
At 74, Broos also acknowledged that this would likely be his last World Cup and suggested it could bring the curtain down on his coaching career.
He said he missed his family and grandchildren in Belgium, but joked that his wife had given him permission to extend his stay after South Africa’s victory over South Korea.
“She said, ‘Okay, you can stay another week, there’s no problem,’” Broos said.
Whether it turns out to be his last World Cup or not, Broos said his players were determined to extend the trip for at least one match.
Published on June 28, 2026
