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THURSDAY • 11th JUNE 2026

Hugo Broos comes full circle from playing for Belgium against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium during the 1986 World Cup to coaching South Africa against the same opponents at the iconic venue in tomorrow’s opener. — AFP

Emotional return Career comes full circle for South Africa coach Broos at Azteca Stadium

S OUTH AFRICA coach Hugo Broos’ career comes full circle tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) when the World Cup kicks off at the Azteca Stadium, 40 years after he played for Belgium against Mexico at the very same venue. The 74-year-old takes charge of South Africa in the opening match against the co-hosts, returning to the iconic Mexico City stadium where Belgium lost 2-1 to Mexico in their opening encounter at the 1986 finals. “It was a fantastic event and something I will never forget, 40 years ago when we played our opening game against Mexico. That was when I felt how special the World Cup is,” he said. In front of a crowd of 110,000 fans, Belgium – with Broos in the starting line-up – went 2-0 down early before pulling one goal back. “I was so happy as a player, motivated and excited. Now I am back here 40 years later, it is amazing it happened. Again I am excited,” he added at a press conference. Broos will become, even if only for a few hours, the oldest man to coach at a World Cup. The Czech Republic’s Miroslav Koubek is seven months older, and they compete in the second game of the tournament in a later match (10am) against South Korea in Guadalajara

Julio Cesar Chavez to speak with the players at the team’s training base. Mexico’s best World Cup performances came as hosts in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals. Chavez, one of the country’s most celebrated athletes and a multiple-time world boxing champion, encouraged the team to aim higher. “I hear people talking about reaching the fifth match, but I believe you are going to go much, much further,” Chavez told the players, urging them to dream big regardless of their opponents’ strength or speed. Aguirre also highlighted the importance of home advantage and national identity in motivating players. “We went to the anthropology museum, and it is marvelous. For the players, it was an incredible experience – they have to know where we come from,” he said. Defender Mateo Chavez said the psychological sessions had been valuable for the team’s development. “We’ve had individual and group sessions, and we’ve gotten to know each other better,” the 22-year-old said, adding that the work has helped improve team cohesion. – Reuters/ Agencies

happening in the stands. We all know that there will be thousands of Mexicans in the stadium.” Broos’ ambition is to get South Africa through the group stage for their first time in four attempts. “After that, anything can happen,” he said. But he is also clear about what he intends to do when their tournament comes to an end. “After the World Cup, I will stop, go to my family, and enjoy the next 20 years with my grandchildren,” he added. Mexico will be the only country to have hosted or co-hosted the World Cup three times but this tournament seems less like a battle for a trophy and more about restoring the country’s football soul. El Tri have turned back to Javier Aguirre to oversee the squad. This is his third stint as national team manager, and Mexico enter this World Cup as a former North American powerhouse looking to re-establish its standing as the top Concacaf team. Aguirre has gone beyond tactical training, using motivational and psychological strategies to inspire his squad for a strong run on home soil. As part of his preparations, Aguirre has brought in former members of Mexico’s 1986 World Cup squad as well as legendary boxer

before 78-year-old Dick Advocaat leads out Curacao in their first game on Monday. Broos has made no bones about his intention to retire after the tournament, having promised his wife he would do so. “Over the past few years, I have often thought about quitting. I no longer want to be involved with football every day,” he said. “I no longer have the energy,” he added, admitting that some days he even found it difficult to study opponents. “Sometimes I have to drag myself to my computer just to watch a match again.” His South Africa side are widely seen as the underdogs, however, and Broos said this could be an advantage. “I am very happy that they think we are the weakest team,” he said. Previously, he has predicted his side might cause some upsets, but tomorrow’s opening match against Mexico will be a stern examination of their credentials. “You know, it will be a special and fantastic experience for us because many of my players have never played football in a situation like this before,” Broos added. “It will be very important for us to stick to the game plan and not pay attention to what is

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