World Cup 2026: Hugo Broos urges focus as South Africa face crucial test against Czech Republic

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has called for calm and concentration ahead of his side’s second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that their qualification hopes remain firmly alive despite an opening-day setback.

The Bafana Bafana began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico, a result that leaves them under early pressure heading into their clash with the Czech Republic. Broos, however, insists the situation is still manageable.

“It’s an important game. If we don’t lose, we still have a chance to qualify from the group. But if we lose, then it becomes all about calculations,” he said, underlining the stakes involved in the upcoming fixture.

South Africa now sit in a tightly contested Group A, where every point could prove decisive as the tournament progresses.

Beyond the mathematics of qualification, Broos also used his pre-match remarks to address criticism from outside the camp, making it clear that he is shutting out distractions as scrutiny grows.

“I never listen to the trash on social media or the people who criticize the team,” he added.

The Belgian-born coach says his focus remains entirely on preparation and performance, with the squad working to reset mentally after the defeat to Mexico.

As South Africa turn their attention to the Czech Republic, the message from their coach is simple: ignore the noise, fix the errors, and keep their World Cup hopes alive.