Johannesburg: Forty years after playing for Belgium against hosts Mexico in the 1986 World Cup opener, Hugo Broos makes an emotional return to the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, this time as coach of South Africa.
The clash between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City signals the start of the 2026 World Cup, the first of 104 matches that will end with the champions being crowned on July 19 in New Jersey.
“No-one in Hollywood could have scripted it better -- I played in a World Cup opener and now, four decades later, I will be one of the coaches in a World Cup opener,” he told AFP.The 2026 World Cup, which Mexico, the United States and Canada are jointly hosting, signals the end of a 56-year football career for the Belgian, as a defender and a coach.
“I am dreaming of a beautiful ending where South Africa reach the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time after three first-round exits,” he said.“When South Africa bow out of this tournament, I will say goodbye to football. I turned 74 this year and the time has come to be with my wife, two daughters, son and eight grandchildren.”
Broos, who took charge in 2021, said Mexico, and their fervent fans, would present a challenging start.“Mexico are a good, ambitious team which emphasises movement. Nothing other than our best level will suffice. We must know what to do when they have the ball, and when we have it,” he said.
