Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup journey is officially underway after the national team arrived in Mexico ahead of the tournament’s opening matches on 11 June 2026.
The squad’s departure was delayed by a day after visa issues disrupted their original travel plans. The team had been scheduled to leave for its training base in Pachuca on Sunday, but some players and officials were still waiting for clearance to travel through the United States.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie later confirmed that all players received their visas on 31 May, allowing the charter flight to depart on Monday.
Before the matter was resolved, McKenzie criticised the situation as “embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff” and said South Africa was “being made to look like fools.”
SAFA acknowledged that “challenges regarding visas” had forced the postponement and held an emergency meeting to address the issue.
The association also announced a three-person committee that will oversee the team’s logistics and administration throughout the tournament.
While four members of the travelling group were still awaiting final visa approvals at the time, SAFA said the situation had been largely resolved and that the country’s World Cup preparations remain on track.
The association also apologised for the disruption and thanked DIRCO and the US Consulate in Johannesburg for helping secure the necessary travel documents.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across Mexico, the United States and Canada.
