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Hugo Broos Urges South Africa to Stay Focused Amid Mexico’s “Wall of Noise” at World Cup Opener

Posted : 11 June 2026

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has called on his players to remain mentally strong as they prepare to face a hostile atmosphere when they meet co-hosts Mexico in their opening World Cup match on Thursday.

Broos, 74, will experience a return to the iconic Estadio Azteca, a stadium where he previously played during the 1986 World Cup as a member of Belgium’s national team. He now returns as a coach, tasked with guiding South Africa through a challenging Group A fixture in Mexico City.

The veteran coach expects a highly charged environment, with around 85,000 home supporters set to create a loud and intimidating atmosphere. He acknowledged that the lack of South African fans in the stadium will likely give Mexico a significant advantage in terms of crowd support.

Despite this, Broos stressed that his team must remain focused on their own performance and not be distracted by the noise from the stands. He believes that maintaining concentration will be key if South Africa are to compete effectively in such a difficult setting.

Broos also described Mexico as the strongest side in the group, pointing to their recent form and consistent run of victories. He praised their confidence and quality, warning that his players will need to perform at their highest level and show determination in every challenge.

The South Africa coach said his team is ready to fight for every moment of the match, emphasising commitment and intensity as essential factors in their World Cup opener.

However, Broos also expressed reservations about the expanded 48-team World Cup format. He suggested that the larger tournament creates additional strain on players and staff due to increased travel demands, with South Africa scheduled to play matches in multiple cities, including Atlanta and Monterrey.

While acknowledging that the modern format is now part of international football, he admitted that it is more physically and mentally exhausting compared to previous editions, though he insisted that his team must adapt to the demands of the competition.

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