Broos reveals Mexico expectations with Bafana ready for the big day

In Mexico City, Bafana were welcomed by hundreds of football fans and an army of Mexican journalists. In what will be the repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener, Bafana Bafana and El Tri will clash for the second time in the World Cup tournament, this time at the iconic Estadio Azteca. This is what head coach Hugo Broos expects from the hosts.

"You know, I don't know the names, the 11 names, so I can't tell you if we are the most dangerous. They are all dangerous. It is a very complete team, with much movement, with solidarity," said Broos

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"You see that those guys, they really want to become world champions. You see that in the way they are playing, the commitment in the game. So, they are a very good team and we will be, or we have to be, on our level best next Thursday if we want to do a good result."

"I saw the game against Serbia. It was fantastic how they played, certainly the first half hour. Movement, aggressivity, solidarity, all the team attack, all the team is defending."

"So, it is a very complete team and it will be very difficult for us on Thursday, but a football game is a football game. We don't have to think now that we don't have any chance against Mexico. This is not true either. But we have to prepare ourselves very good and we have to play on our level best. That is for sure."

The Mexicans are appearing in their 18th World Cup, a total only surpassed by Brazil (23), the most successful footballing nation with five World Cup titles, Germany (21), and Argentina (19). It was against Argentina that Broos lost in the 1986 semifinals with Belgium, and he doesn’t see this game as revenge for that result.

Interestingly, both Broos and the Mexican national team head coach, Javier Aguirre, made their debuts at the World Cup in the 1986 edition. Whilst Broos is coaching for the first time in the World Cup, it’s Aguirre’s third tournament since 2002, 2010, and 2026. And for the Belgian-born mentor, this is very special and a highlight of his coaching career.

Azteca Stadium is one of the most iconic football cathedrals around the world, and Broos knows that it will be a special moment for his players on Thursday. How they approach that game and atmosphere is extremely important, especially from the mental side.