The South African football team, Bafana Bafana, is set to depart for Mexico today after securing visas for the majority of its members. Currently, only four individuals from the squad are still awaiting visa clearance.
Safa announced that the travel plans had encountered significant delays, resulting in the team missing their intended departure from OR Tambo International Airport yesterday. This debacle led to expressions of frustration from various quarters, including South Africa’s Sports Minister, Gayton Mckenzie, who described the situation as a ‘shame’.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) convened an Emergency Committee Meeting on the night of Sunday, May 31, 2026, to address the issues surrounding the delayed travel arrangements. During the meeting, it was confirmed that only four visas remain outstanding, and SAFA is actively coordinating with authorities to expedite the process.
Bafana Bafana’s schedule includes a friendly match against Jamaica this Friday, which is their final game before facing Mexico in the World Cup opening match next Thursday. The impact of the recent visa complications on the team’s performance remains uncertain.