Hugo Broos isn't hiding it: facing 85,000 hostile fans at the Azteca is the least of his worries
South Africa's coach calls the 2026 World Cup 'too big' and weighs up the challenge of opening against Mexico at the Azteca in front of 85,000 home supporters.
Even before a ball has been kicked at the Estadio Azteca, South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has made his feelings about the 2026 World Cup perfectly clear: for the 74-year-old Belgian, the tournament has simply grown too big. Speaking on the eve of his side's opener against Mexico, Broos pointed to the sheer logistical burden as the main headache of the new format — 48 nations, matches spread across three different countries.
According to ge, Broos singled out travel fatigue as a factor that sets this World Cup apart from previous editions. He noted that, depending on how far South Africa progress, the delegation could be required to move from Atlanta to Los Angeles, racking up kilometres that, in his view, make the tournament more gruelling than those contested with fewer teams. Even so, he acknowledged that the organisers have made their decision and that it is up to the competing nations to adapt.
For this World Cup, the new regulations introduce a round of 32 for the first time, and the eight best third-placed sides also advance — which, in Broos's reading, means a win in the opening game is enough to put qualification within reach. The problem is that the first opponent is Mexico, whom he himself considers the best team in Group A, having gone on a recent run of six wins and two draws. Playing at the Azteca in front of 85,000 home supporters is the most hostile possible setting for a debut.
The Golmetria model gives Mexico an 87.33% chance of advancing from the group stage, while the probability of the hosts lifting the trophy stands at 1.68% — a figure that reflects both the potential and the limitations of the host nation.
The match between Mexico and South Africa, the opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup, takes place this Thursday at 16:00 (Brasília time). The result will determine who takes the early lead in Group A — and how much of Broos's plan survives the noise of the Azteca.