Safa have officially begun the hunt for a new Bafana Bafana coach as Hugo Broos nears his retirement date after the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The future of Broos as Bafana Bafana coach remains uncertain, with Safa set to begin the process of finding his replacement, after he initially announced he would step down and retire following next month’s Fifa World Cup.
Broos has enjoyed an illustrious five-year stint with Bafana, leading the team to back-to-back Afcons and the upcoming World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. His no-nonsense demeanour and selection criteria – favouring merit and loyalty over popularity – have fuelled his success, with many fans feeling the team could regress after his departure this winter.
Why Safa Wants Broos to Stay
However, Safa president Danny Jordaan hinted they would sit down with the Belgian after the World Cup and try to convince him to stay on a little longer while handing over to his successor without pressure. Broos appeared open to the idea, telling the media he may have spoken too soon about retiring and returning home to spend time with his grandchildren, which is why he will revisit the matter after the global showpiece in America.
According to the Fifa website, the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, with the tournament scheduled to take place from June 14 to July 15, 2026. Discussions between Safa and Broos have yet to take place, with Safa NEC member and technical committee chairperson Jack Maluleke revealing during a two-day NEC meeting at Safa House over the weekend that the association would soon begin the search for Broos’ successor.
What’s Next for Bafana Bafana
“We are here to tell you that the process will start soon to recruit another potential coach,” Maluleke said. “We want to plead with you to give us space and support because we’ll never let the nation down. Already, the standard Broos has set is high.” Maluleke said Safa was not closing the door on extending Broos’ stay, but could not rely on that happening without an agreement in place, especially with other commitments looming after the World Cup, including the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
- The 2027 Afcon qualifiers are scheduled to begin in June 2026
- Bafana Bafana will face stiff competition in the qualifiers, with teams like Egypt and Morocco participating
- Safa will need to find a suitable replacement for Broos to ensure the team’s success in the qualifiers
For more information on the Afcon qualifiers, visit the Confederation of African Football website.
