South Africa's World Cup Departure Delayed in Visa 'Debacle'
Visa delays leave the squad and technical staff awaiting clearance, disrupting a planned 10-day altitude camp before the World Cup.
- 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.
21 Articles
21 Articles
South Africa delays World Cup trip over visa issues
By Favour Ulebor & Agency Report JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s national football team has postponed its departure for the FIFA World Cup after visa challenges disrupted travel arrangements for several players and officials. The team had been scheduled to leave Johannesburg on Sunday for a training camp in Mexico ahead of the tournament, but the trip was delayed after multiple members of the delegation failed to secure visas in time. In a stateme…
South Africa's World Cup departure delayed in visa 'debacle'
South Africa’s departure for World Cup delayed by visa ‘debacle’
South Africa are due to face hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on 11 June
Bafana departure delayed, McKenzie slams SAFA over visas: ‘We’re made to look like fools’
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has slammed the South African Football Association for the administrative bungle that delayed Bafana Bafana’s World Cup departure.
FIFA World Cup-bound South African team grounded over visa delay
The team was due to leave on a charter flight for its training base in the Mexican city of Pachuca, but that has been delayed “indefinitely”, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
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