Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has revealed that SAFA has been contacted by both the Brazilian and Argentinian football federations over the possibility of playing friendlies in May ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking ahead of South Africa’s international friendlies against Panama, Broos revealed that there was interest from two of the top ranked nations in the world, but that these fixtures would come with a heavy cost for the association.
“So Lydia [Monyepao], the [SAFA] CEO, told me, yes, Brazil want to play against us. I said, ‘Oh, very good. Why not in May?’ Yeah, they asked $5 million to come. A few months ago, Argentina want to play also in Johannesburg against us, €5 million,” said Broos.
With international friendlies, generally the host nation has to cover the costs of the visiting team, with Argentina and Brazil clearly commanding a high price.
“It’s easy to say, ‘Ah, why not that? Why not that?’ So Panama is not coming free either. You have to pay also. They are coming, yes, yes, but not only the trip or whatever, no. You have to pay a sum of money to come here and to play two games. So SAFA did a big effort to have Panama. So now we will see what we can get or an Asian team or a European team for May.”
Broos wanted his side to face opposition from middle America with a similar playing style to Mexico, who Bafana will face in the opening game of the World Cup, hence his troops will suit up against Panama in late March. He then wants to organise a fixture against either a European or Asian team to help his team prepare for their group games against South Korea and a yet-to-be-determined European nation.
Whilst games against Brazil and Argentina would be great for his side, Broos highlighted that SAFA would not be able to charge the ticket prices necessary to cover the cost of paying for either side to visit without pricing out the majority of football fans.
“So I know for European teams, it’s [easier] because the money is there. We don’t have that money […] If you go and play against Argentina or Brazil in FNB [Stadium], it’s full. The people are on the roof even if you want. But you can’t ask. You know when Brazil should come in Belgium, the cheapest ticket should be R800, [roughly] €40. That’s the cheapest. You can’t ask that here in South Africa. Nobody will pay 800 rand for a ticket,” he said.
“If that should be possible, you could also invite those teams because with 90,000 people, you never lose money when you can ask those prices for tickets. So again, I’m very happy with Panama.”
