Hugo Broos: AFCON 2025 the ideal FIFA World Cup preparation

The 2025 AFCON tournament will be held from 21 December 2025 - 18 January 2026, just six months prior to the start of the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Though Bafana qualification fate could only be known by October, Broos would like to also use the continental tournament to measure his side’s readiness for the global showpiece next year.

"Yes, because six months later there is a World Cup. I think, if we qualify for the World Cup, we can make another good AFCON that will certainly help us in the World Cup," said Broos.

"This is something I said when I came here, and maybe it was a little bit disrespectful to the other teams but – I don't want to play against Zimbabwe, Lesotho and [other neighbours] every time. I want to play against the big teams."

Bafana, bronze medalists from Ivory Coast, will be in Pot B at Monday night’s AFCON draw, and could be pitted against the likes of Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, or Algeria from Pot A. 

Broos says these are the teams that bring the best out of Bafana.

"You see what a gift that gave us that we played in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Morocco, and we had such games in the last AFCON, and those games make us progress," he added.

"Against Morocco you have to go at 100 percent, against Algeria you have to go at 100 percent, and games like that gives you more satisfaction, and you learn and progress more.

"So therefore, AFCON 2025 in December and January will also help us if we qualify for the World Cup – it will help us have a good World Cup after that."

READ: Roger Feutmba: Bafana Bafana could reach 2025 AFCON final