South Africa's World Cup departure delayed in visa 'debacle'
SAFA said all players received visas, but four staff members were still waiting as the charter was rebooked for Monday.
- Bafana Bafana's departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico was postponed today due to visa-related issues, leaving the squad and technical team awaiting travel documentation in South Africa.
- National broadcaster SABC cited an 'administrative bungle' for the delay, prompting Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie to demand an explanation from the South African Football Association .
- Head coach Hugo Broos is reportedly the only travelling member who obtained his visa, while the team's planned 10-day altitude training camp now faces disruption.
- Supporters criticized team manager Vincent Tseka on social media for his oversight, with many describing the situation as embarrassing for the national squad.
- The team faces Jamaica in a friendly on Friday, followed by their World Cup opening match against Mexico on June 11, critical fixtures for tournament preparations.
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68 Articles
The EagleHerald
South Africa postpones travel to Mexico for World Cup due to visa issues
South Africa's national men's team has postponed its travel to Mexico due to visa issues. Bafana Bafana was supposed to leave on Sunday to prepare for the World Cup. The team is set to play co-host Mexico in the opening…
The South African team had to delay their start for the North American World Cup, which starts on June 11, due to a problem of...
Visa-Stress confuses the plans of the South African national football team. That's also spicy because the team has to reach in the opening match.
The South African national football team is stuck in Johannesburg. The Bafana Bafana, who are due to play the opening game against Mexico on 11 June, were due to fly to the World Cup on Sunday, 31 May. But their departure was postponed to the last minute. The cause: visa problems, according to the national football federation. A huge coucac for the country, eleven days from its first World Cup in 16 years.
Bafana to leave for WC on Monday after visa bungle
South Africa's flight from Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport to Mexico for the opening match of the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to land on on Sunday morning, was delayed, SAFA confirmed, but it was rebooked for Monday morning.
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