Hugo Broos backs African nation to win the FIFA World Cup

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has tipped an African country to eventually win the FIFA World Cup, noting that several nations across the continent have developed the necessary quality to lift football’s most prestigious trophy

Broos said African teams previously arrived at World Cups lacking the confidence to challenge the traditional powerhouses from Europe and South America.

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“I think it is about believing in your ability,” the Belgian said.

“In 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.”

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The 73-year-old believes that mentality has changed significantly following a series of impressive performances by African nations on the global stage.

According to Broos, teams from the continent now travel to the World Cup believing they can compete with the best, produce positive results and make a deep run in the tournament.

“The confidence is growing in Africa that there are good teams and that they can have an impact at the World Cup,” he explained.

Broos pointed to Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as proof that African teams are capable of challenging the world’s elite.

The Atlas Lions defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal before eventually losing to France in the semi-finals, becoming the first African nation to reach the last four of the tournament.

While admitting that lifting the World Cup remains a difficult challenge, Broos dismissed suggestions that an African champion is impossible.

“It is probably too early to think that an African team will become world champion tomorrow,” he said.

“But it is possible. Some people say it will never happen, but it can happen.”

Broos made the remarks after South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 32, where Bafana Bafana suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada.