World Cup 2026: ‘They don’t like to play football’ – Hugo Broos blasts Czechia after South Africa draw

South Africa coach Hugo Broos launched a scathing assessment of Czechia’s playing style after Bafana Bafana fought back to secure a 1-1 draw in their crucial World Cup Group A clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

A dramatic late penalty from Teboho Mokoena rescued a valuable point for South Africa and kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive heading into the final round of group matches.

Yet despite the relief of avoiding defeat, Broos left the stadium frustrated, insisting his side deserved more against opponents he accused of showing little interest in playing attractive football.

Broos takes aim at Czech tactics

The Belgian coach was particularly critical of Czechia’s direct and physical approach, claiming it made life difficult for his technically gifted side.

“Czechia is a physical team and they don’t like to play football or a passing game,” Broos said after the match.

The South Africa manager argued that Czechia relied heavily on aerial balls and physical battles rather than building attacks through possession.

“It’s very straight, and they have the players for it. All the players are tall. So that means that for us it was very difficult with those high balls.”

Broos acknowledged that every coach is entitled to choose a tactical approach that suits his squad, but he made it clear which style he believes football supporters prefer.

“And this is what Czechia did, and OK, it’s a tactic. I can’t say why this or why that. This is the coach who decides that, and maybe if I should be the coach of Czechia, I should do the same thing.

“But I think if you like football that you like more the game we played today than the game of Czechia.”

Czech coach refuses to bite

Broos’ comments could easily have sparked a war of words, but Czechia coach Miroslav Koubek opted for a measured response when asked about the criticism.

“That’s his opinion,” Koubek said. “He can have that opinion but my opinion is different.”

The brief reply ensured the focus remained on the result rather than an escalating dispute between the two managers.

For Czechia, the draw represented a missed opportunity to take a significant step toward qualification. For South Africa, meanwhile, Mokoena’s late spot-kick preserved momentum and ensured their destiny remains in their own hands heading into the decisive final group fixture.

Atlanta venue also in Broos’ firing line

Broos was not finished with his criticisms after discussing Czechia’s tactics. The veteran coach also questioned whether Mercedes-Benz Stadium provides the atmosphere he associates with top-level football.

While praising the venue’s facilities, he suggested the enclosed nature of the stadium detracted from the matchday experience.

“If I can be very honest, this is not a football stadium,” he said.

“It’s a nice stadium, fantastic stadium. Everything you want, but only the grass is football. All the rest is not.”

Broos explained that he prefers traditional open-air venues where supporters can generate a more authentic atmosphere.

“It’s a covered stadium, so yeah, I like to play in an open stadium. I don’t feel really the atmosphere in such a stadium. When you compare it with Azteca, for example, that’s a football stadium.”

Group A race goes to the wire

Despite Broos’ frustrations, South Africa emerged from Atlanta with a result that could prove crucial in the battle for a place in the last 16.

The draw leaves both South Africa and Czechia with qualification hopes intact, setting up a tense final round of matches in Group A. For Broos, however, the bigger takeaway was his belief that his side’s footballing philosophy deserved greater reward than the point they ultimately collected.