June 11, 2026
South Africa’s Belgian head coach Hugo Broos (L) and midfielder Teboho Mokoena (R) give a press conference at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 10, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football match between Mexico and South Africa. (Photo by Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP)
South Africa coach Hugo Broos has challenged his players to block out an expected wall of sound on Thursday when they take on co-hosts Mexico in their World Cup opener.
Broos, 74, will be making an emotional return to the Estadio Azteca when he leads South Africa into their daunting Group A assignment in Mexico City.
The former Belgium international experienced first-hand the noise of the Azteca during the 1986 finals in Mexico, where he played in the Red Devils’ opener against the hosts.
