Visa issues cause travel delays
The departure of Bafana Bafana for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been postponed due to complications with visa arrangements. The team was scheduled to leave on a charter flight to their training base in Pachuca, Mexico, but several players and officials have not yet received their visas.
Government response to SAFA’s handling
Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, criticized the South African Football Association (SAFA) for what he termed a “travel and visa debacle.” In a social media post, he expressed frustration, stating, “We are being made to look like fools” and described the situation as embarrassing and unfair to the players and coaching staff.
McKenzie has demanded a report from SAFA and called for accountability regarding those responsible for the mishap. He emphasized the need for immediate action to rectify the situation.
SAFA’s commitment to resolve the issue
In response to the delays, SAFA released a statement indicating that they are working diligently to ensure that Bafana Bafana can travel to Mexico as soon as possible. The association acknowledged the challenges faced with visa processing for some team members, which prevented their departure as planned.
While waiting for their travel arrangements to be finalized, the team will continue their training in Johannesburg. An emergency committee meeting is scheduled for Sunday evening to discuss new travel plans and provide updates to the public.
There is significant anticipation surrounding South Africa’s participation in this year’s World Cup, marking their first appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010. The tournament is set to take place across 16 cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah
Yaw Appiah
Ama Serwah