South Africa's national football team, known as Bafana Bafana, is facing delays in their departure for the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to visa issues for some players and officials. The South African Football Association (SAFA) announced that the team was scheduled to fly from Johannesburg to Mexico City on Sunday morning but could not leave as planned.

Visa Delays Impact Travel Plans

SAFA confirmed that the hold-up in obtaining visas for the co-host nation, Mexico, has prevented the squad from traveling to North America. The opening match of the tournament is set for June 11, where South Africa will face Mexico at the Estadio Azteca. In a media release, SAFA stated, “The South African senior men’s national team has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials, and as a result the group could not travel to North America this morning as originally planned.”

Emergency Measures and Continued Training

In response to the situation, SAFA is taking immediate action to resolve the issue, stating, “SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match.” While the team remains in Johannesburg, they will continue their training until they are able to depart. The squad had received a grand sendoff just a day prior, marking their first World Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie expressed strong disapproval of the situation, calling it “embarrassing and grossly unfair” on social media. He emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “I have informed SAFA that I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess.” Following the visa debacle, SAFA convened an emergency committee meeting to address the concerns raised.

As part of their preparations, South Africa is scheduled to play a friendly match against Jamaica on June 5. After their opening game against Mexico, they will face Czechia on June 18 and South Korea on June 24. Coach Hugo Broos recently announced a 26-man squad, which includes two uncapped players, as they gear up for the tournament.