Visa Snag Delays South Africa's World Cup Journey Just Days Before Opener

With less than two weeks remaining before the start of the FIFA World Cup , South Africa's preparations have suffered an unexpected setback after visa-related complications forced the national team to postpone its scheduled departure to Mexico .

The South African men's national football team, popularly known as Bafana Bafana , was due to fly to Mexico on Sunday to begin its final phase of preparations for the tournament. However, issues surrounding travel visas for several players and team officials prevented the squad from making the journey as planned, raising concerns over valuable preparation time ahead of the global showpiece.

In a statement, the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed that administrative challenges involving visas had disrupted the team's travel arrangements. The association said it was working urgently with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter and ensure the squad reaches Mexico City at the earliest opportunity.

The delay comes at a crucial stage of South Africa's World Cup campaign. The team is scheduled to feature in the tournament's opening match against co-host Mexico on June 11 in Mexico City, a fixture expected to draw significant global attention. With preparations entering their final stretch, every training session and acclimatization day is considered vital.

While the travel plans remain uncertain, SAFA has assured supporters that the team will continue its training programme in Johannesburg until clearance is obtained. An emergency meeting was convened on Sunday evening to address the situation and explore solutions, with officials expected to provide further updates once progress is made.

Despite the disruption, South Africa remains focused on its World Cup challenge. Drawn in Group A , Bafana Bafana will face Mexico , the Czech Republic , and South Korea in what promises to be a demanding opening phase of the competition.

For now, the immediate priority is resolving the visa complications and ensuring the squad arrives in North America with enough time to settle and prepare. As the countdown to the World Cup continues, South African football fans will be hoping the off-field hurdle is cleared quickly so attention can return to the action on the pitch.