Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has spoken about how taxing the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be on teams the further the tournament progresses.
Broos’ side has been based in Pachuca and played their opening match against the South American co-hosts in Mexico City. Then they travelled across the USA border for the second Group A clash against Czechia in Atlanta where they picked up their first and valuable point.
They are now wrapping their group stage campaign in Monterrey, Mexico on Thursday with the high-stakes pool decider against South Korea.
The Belgian tactician noted the challenge travelling will pose especially with regards to recovery when answering a question about the difference of playing in the different countries.
Broos said it’s exhausting but also conceded he and his charges will just have to get on with the programme.
“You know it’s very exhausting when you see that you have to travel always,” said Broos at the pre-match press conference.
“There is a difference of time also. So, we played in Mexico City, one week later, you play in Atlanta there’s two hours difference. Now today we play in Monterey. If we go in the second round, you have to go to Los Angeles or to Seattle.
“Certainly, when I think we are third, you play already four days later, but there’s still travel to do, I think to Seattle. So that means that it’s all very exhausting and the recovery is very difficult the more the tournament will go.
“So yeah, if you are in three different countries with different times then it’s certainly not ideal, certainly for the recovery. When you see tomorrow you play in extremely hot temperature, so that will ask much energy of the players.
“If you are third, you play four days again, and you have to travel again to Pachuca, to Mexico City, and then from there you have to travel again to America. It’s a little bit too much, but yeah, this is the concept.
“This is the World Cup, and we have to adapt, but I can tell you that it’s not easy.”
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