Hugo Broos embraces Bafana Bafana ‘surprise factor’ for 2026 Fifa World Cup

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos believes his side may hold an unexpected advantage heading into the 2026 Fifa World Cup — and it has little to do with rankings or reputation. Instead, it lies in perception.

South Africa will be among 48 nations competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada when the tournament kicks off in June, marking their long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage. It will be Bafana’s first appearance at the World Cup since 2010, when they were eliminated in the group stages on home soil.

In a challenging Group A, Bafana are set to face co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. This time, however, the context feels different. There is less noise, less expectation, and, according to Broos, that may be exactly what his team needs.

Following a recent international window that included a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 defeat to Panama, Broos has already begun shaping the narrative around his side’s World Cup identity.

“Nobody expects Panama or South Africa in the quarter-finals or whatever,” said Broos. “And this is maybe an advantage for us; that we can provide a surprise, that we can be surprising for the opponent because they don’t really know how strong we are. I am very, very happy with those two games against Panama. It will help us a lot, and I hope it is the same for the Panama coach.”

His comments point to a calculated mindset. Rather than resisting the underdog label, Broos is embracing it — turning it into a potential weapon. In modern international football, where data, scouting, and analysis often leave little to chance, unpredictability remains a powerful asset. Teams that arrive without the burden of heavy expectation are often afforded the freedom to play without fear and to take risks.

For Bafana, this could prove crucial. The recent matches against Panama offered a glimpse of both promise and vulnerability. While South Africa showed an ability to control phases of play and create chances, inefficiency in front of goal and lapses in key moments proved costly.

Yet, in Broos’s eyes, those lessons are part of the process. The focus is not on perfection now, but on progression by the time the tournament begins.

There is also a broader psychological element at play: opponents may not view South Africa as a primary threat, a perception that can lead to complacency. In a tournament setting where margins are defined by moments, that slight edge in mindset can be decisive.

For Broos, the challenge will be balancing belief with realism. While a lack of expectation removes pressure, it does not remove responsibility. Bafana will still need to be clinical, disciplined, and mentally sharp to capitalise on the opportunity.

If Broos is right and the underdog tag works in their favour, South Africa may arrive at the World Cup with something more valuable than hype. They may arrive with freedom — and in football, that can be dangerous.