Hugo Broos Steps Down as South Africa Head Coach After Historic World Cup

The Belgian manager ends his tenure after leading South Africa to its best-ever FIFA World Cup performance.

Hugo Broos has officially stepped down as South Africa's head coach, bringing an end to a successful five-year spell in charge of Bafana Bafana.

The South African national team confirmed the news on Friday through a message on social media, thanking the 74-year-old Belgian for his dedication and contribution to the country's football.

Broos took over the national team in May 2021 and successfully guided South Africa back to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. His leadership culminated in the nation's most successful World Cup campaign to date.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, South Africa advanced beyond the group stage for the first time in its history. Bafana Bafana finished second in Group A behind host nation Mexico while finishing ahead of Czechia and South Korea.

South Africa's memorable run came to an end in the Round of 32, where it suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Canada. Despite the elimination, the campaign marked the country's deepest-ever run at a World Cup.

Although reports in recent weeks suggested Broos could be dismissed, the South African Football Association had denied those claims. His departure is now official, closing a chapter that will be remembered for restoring South Africa's competitiveness on the world stage.