Kaizer Chiefs went from boasting several Bafana Bafana hopefuls to having just a single player carry the club’s flag at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now, with South Africa’s campaign hanging in the balance, a massive question remains: Will the lone Amakhosi star finally get his moment on football’s grandest stage, or is he destined to leave the tournament without kicking a ball?
When Hugo Broos announced his final 26-man squad for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Bradley Cross stood alone as the sole representative from Naturena. Club teammates Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane, and Lebohang Maboe all made the initial 32-man preliminary roster but faced heartbreak when they were cut ahead of the showpiece. Along with Patrick Maswanganyi, Thapelo Morena, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel, they were left watching from home.
As things stand, Cross has spent the entire tournament on the sidelines, meaning no active Kaizer Chiefs player has actually set foot on the pitch at the 2026 World Cup.
The Ultimate Do-or-Die Choice Against South Korea
Whether that changes now rests entirely in the hands of Hugo Broos.
Bafana Bafana are gearing up for a massive, decisive Group A clash against South Korea at the Monterrey Stadium. Following a tough 2-0 opening loss to co-hosts Mexico and a gritty 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic—rescued by a late Teboho Mokoena penalty—the equation for South Africa is simple: they must win to qualify for the Round of 32.
Because a victory is mandatory, Broos is highly unlikely to deploy a conservative five-man defensive system. Given that Cross couldn’t break into the lineup even when a defensive back-five was used against Mexico, his chances of starting look slim. Realistically, if South Africa manages to advance to the knockout rounds, Broos will almost certainly stick to his trusted regular back four, making this final group match Cross’s absolute best shot at earning a cameo appearance off the substitutes’ bench.
Squad Depth Pushed to the Limit
If there is any silver lining for Cross’s chances, it is that the Bafana Bafana squad is facing forced reshuffling.
- Themba Zwane remains unavailable as he continues to serve a three-match suspension following his red card in the tournament opener against Mexico.
- Midfield talisman Teboho Mokoena—who scored the crucial equalizing penalty against the Czech Republic—is suspended for the South Korea match after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament.
While midfielder Sphephelo Sithole returns to the selection pool after serving his own one-match ban, the midfield and transition units are stretched thin. Pundits have weighed various tactical audaudacious moves, including pushing Relebohile Mofokeng into an advanced central role, or drafting Nkosinathi Sibisi into the backline to allow Mbekezeli Mbokazi to operate as a makeshift number six.
With tactical adjustments guaranteed, tactical flexibility might just open the door for Cross. While an appearance remains unlikely, a late tactical substitution is not completely out of the equation as Hugo Broos prepares his troops for one of the biggest matches in recent South African football history.
