South Africa Coach Urges Focus Against Host Mexico in World Cup Opener

2026 World Cup Key News

（Central News Mexico City 10th comprehensive foreign wire report） South Africa's national team coach Hugo Broos has asked his players to focus on the game against co-host Mexico in their first World Cup match tomorrow, dismissing the anticipated roar of home fans.

Agence France-Presse reported that 74-year-old Broos (Hugo Broos) will return to the Azteca Stadium (Estadio Azteca) with excitement, leading the South African national team in the Group A match in Mexico City.

This former Belgian footballer once experienced the shocking power of the Azteca Stadium during the 1986 Mexico World Cup, when he represented the European 'Red Devils' Belgian national team in the opening match against the host Mexican national team.

Tomorrow's opening match may re-enact the shocking scenes of that year's match. He believes this match is crucial for South Africa's advancement.

Broos said, 'There will be 85,000 Mexicans cheering loudly on site. But we must focus on our own game. If we can do this, not be overly influenced by the noise of 85,000 Mexicans, then we can play a good game.'

Broos believes that Mexico is the most troublesome opponent in Group A that must be defeated.

When talking about the Mexican national team, known as the 'Three-Colored Army' (El Tri), Broos said, 'I think they have almost won all of their past 10 matches. So they will be a team full of confidence... They are the strongest team in this group.'

'Tomorrow will be a very difficult match. We need to perform at our best, but I can assure you, our team is ready... to fight to the end.' he added.

Mexico has played in seven World Cup opening matches in history, but has never won any of them. Current head coach Javier Aguirre vowed to break this curse.

Aguirre said at the pre-match press conference, 'We must break this statistic.'

He said, 'I didn't know this fact before. I plan to tell our players. This will become another source of motivation.'

Aguirre will once again experience the feeling of participating in the World Cup in his hometown tomorrow, 40 years after he participated as a player in 1986.

The 67-year-old coach said, 'Since I took command 22 months ago, nothing has been more exciting for me than experiencing the World Cup again in my hometown.' (Edited by Liu Shu-chin) 1150611

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