Bradley Cross opens up on Bafana World Cup call-up
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Bafana Bafana defender Bradley Cross has opened up on making the final 26-man squad for the highly-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup set to commence next month.
The 25-year-old full-back is one of the two uncapped players in the South African national team, alongside Philadelphia Union centre-back Olwethu Makhanya.
Cross, similarly to Makhanya, has only represented South Africa in the youth ranks despite previous spells at development teams of Schalke 04 and Newcastle United.
The well-travelled stalwart expressed delight at realizing his dream of representing the national team after struggling to get a breakthrough at club level in Europe.
“Firstly, for me this has definitely been a long-term goal for myself, I've made the preliminary squad quite a few times. So, I just told myself that I have to work hard and try prove to the coach that I'm capable and I can be in the team,” said Cross.
"I was in the youth setups since I was young, I think under-20 I was [there] at the age of 16, and then I went overseas. It wasn't easy obviously that side, there was a lot of competition.
"And then my decision was to come back to South Africa, and my main goal was to get into the Bafana Bafana squad and ever since then I've been working hard, staying focused.
On being the only Kaizer Chiefs player in the Bafana fold, Cross says he doesn't pay attention to social media banter, placing emphasis on personal development.
“I don't really focus so much on social media, I'd rather stick towards myself and what I can control, like I said before, I just work hard and put my head down and look ahead,” the Chief defender added.
Bafana have been pitted in Group A against co-hosts Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Korea, with the tournament scheduled to get underway on 11 June.
Africa
13 July 2026
World Cup 2026
11 July 2026
