Rabat \u2013 South Africa head coach Hugo Broos believes an African country can win the FIFA World Cup, arguing that teams from the continent are developing the confidence needed to compete with football\u2019s traditional powers.<\/p>\n
Broos made the comments ahead of South Africa\u2019s round-of-32 match against co-hosts Canada.<\/p>\n
Bafana Bafana reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history after finishing second in Group A.<\/p>\n
Broos said African teams previously arrived at the World Cup without fully believing they could defeat the leading countries from Europe and South America.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is about believing in your ability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the past, African teams perhaps did not believe enough when they went to the World Cup because they were facing the major European and South American countries.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Belgian coach believes that attitude has started to change following stronger performances by African teams in recent tournaments.<\/p>\n
Broos said more teams from the continent now believe they can compete, produce strong results and play an important role at the World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe confidence is growing in Africa that there are good teams and that they can have an impact at the World Cup,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Morocco\u2019s historic run to the semifinals at the 2022 tournament showed that an African country could compete deep into the competition.<\/p>\n
The Atlas Lions defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal before losing to France in the semifinals.<\/p>\n
Broos believes winning the tournament remains a more difficult step, but he rejected the idea that it will never happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is probably too early to think that an African team will become world champion tomorrow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it is possible. Some people say it will never happen, but it can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The South Africa coach said progress depends not only on technical quality but also on teams trusting their own ability when facing higher-ranked opponents.<\/p>\n
Record african presence in knockout stage<\/p>\n
African countries have produced a record showing at the expanded 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n
When Broos spoke, eight of the continent\u2019s 10 representatives had already secured places in the round of 32. The final total later increased to nine after the group stage was completed.<\/p>\n
Only one African representative failed to progress, marking the continent\u2019s strongest collective World Cup performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is wonderful to see so many African teams qualify for the next round,\u201d Broos said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a big number. Hopefully, this is only the beginning, and in future World Cups we will see even more African teams going far because they are capable of doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Broos again returned to the importance of belief.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is simply about believing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
South Africa now have an opportunity to continue Africa\u2019s strong tournament when they face Canada in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
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