In a dramatic turn of events just days before the global football spectacle begins, South Africa's national team, Bafana Bafana, has been forced to postpone its departure for the 2026 World Cup. The team was scheduled to leave on Sunday, May 31, but was grounded due to unresolved visa issues affecting several players and officials.
The squad had been prepared to board a charter flight to their designated training base in Pachuca, Mexico. However, the departure was halted as the South African Football Association (SAFA) scrambled to rectify paperwork errors. This administrative setback comes at a critical time, with the team's tournament opener against co-hosts Mexico scheduled for June 11—just 11 days away.
The situation has sparked significant political backlash. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie took to X to express his frustration, labeling the visa debacle as "embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff." Minister McKenzie further stated that he has demanded a full report from SAFA and insisted that action be taken against those responsible, remarking, "We are being made to look like fools."
In an official statement, SAFA acknowledged the "challenges regarding visas" and assured the public that they are working "around the clock" to ensure the team reaches Mexico City as soon as possible. While the association did not provide specific details on the nature of the visa problems, they confirmed that Bafana Bafana will continue their preparations and training in Johannesburg until the issue is resolved. An emergency SAFA meeting was convened on Sunday night to address the crisis.
This tournament marks a significant milestone for South Africa, as it is their first appearance at the global finals since they hosted the event in 2010. Their journey to the 2026 finals was not without turmoil; an administrative error during the qualification phase nearly cost them their spot when a 2-0 victory over Lesotho was overturned because of the fielding of an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena. Despite that setback, the team managed to finish a point ahead of Nigeria and Benin in their qualification pool.
Looking ahead, Bafana Bafana faces a challenging Group A schedule. Following their June 11 opener in Mexico City, they are set to face the Czech Republic on June 18 in Atlanta, USA, and conclude their group stage matches against South Korea on June 24 in Monterrey, Mexico.
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Bafana Bafana postpones World Cup departure due to visa issues
cgtn.com
