Hugo Broos resigns as South Africa coach, retires

Hugo Broos officially stepped down as head coach of the South African national football team on Friday, July 31, 2026, concluding a transformative five-year tenure. The 74-year-old Belgian announced his departure at a press conference at SAFA House in Johannesburg, confirming he would not renew his contract and would retire from football entirely.

Broos cited personal reasons for his decision, explaining that the long periods away from his family and feelings of loneliness in South Africa influenced his choice. He described the decision as difficult and emotionally charged, fighting back tears during the announcement. He noted that guiding South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 40 years after his own World Cup participation as a player for Belgium in 1986, brought his career full circle.

Appointed in May 2021 during a period of decline for Bafana Bafana, Broos oversaw a significant revival. He rebuilt the squad around a younger generation of players, lowering the average age and restoring a competitive mentality. His tenure yielded historic results: a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa's best finish in the tournament since 2000, and qualification for...