World Cup: Why we lost to Canada — South Africa coach Broos
South Africa coach Hugo Broos has attributed Bafana Bafana’s exit from the FIFA World Cup to a lack of physical attributes, noting that Canada’s power and speed proved decisive in their last-32 encounter on Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles.
South Africa’s tournament ended with a 1-0 loss to co-hosts Canada after Stephen Eustaquio netted a 92nd-minute winner to send Canada into the round of 16. Broos observed that modern football now requires more than technique, and that Canada possessed the strength and pace that his team has yet to develop.
The 74-year-old Belgian had earlier indicated plans to retire from coaching after the World Cup to focus on family. Following the defeat, he said he would not make any immediate decisions about his future while disappointed, and suggested a final choice would come later.
Officials within the South African Football Association have indicated that Broos could remain with the national setup in another capacity, possibly in scouting or monitoring South African players in Europe.
Broos took charge in 2021 and is credited with reviving the national team. Under him, South Africa qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and reached the knockout stage for the first time in the country’s history. The team also recorded a notable Group A win over South Korea during the tournament, progressing beyond the group stage after three previous first-round exits.
Support for Bafana Bafana grew during his tenure, with attendance rising from under 200 at a friendly against Botswana shortly after his appointment to a 50,000-capacity crowd for a World Cup warm-up against Panama in Cape Town.
Canada will now face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16 in Houston. South Africa will turn its attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they are grouped with Kenya, Guinea, and Eritrea in Group D
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