South Africa's World Cup preparations delayed by visa issues

Sunday 31 May 2026 - 13:30

South Africa's national football team has experienced an unexpected setback in its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after visa-related issues delayed its scheduled departure for North America.

The team, widely known as the Bafana Bafana, was expected to leave Johannesburg for Mexico, where it planned to hold a pre-tournament training camp ahead of the competition's opening matches. However, administrative delays involving travel documents prevented part of the delegation from departing as scheduled.

According to football officials, several players and members of the technical staff were still awaiting the completion of visa procedures required for entry into countries involved in the tournament. The situation forced the South African Football Association to postpone the team's journey while efforts continued to resolve the matter.

The delay has raised concerns about the squad's preparation schedule, as training camps play a crucial role in helping teams adapt to local conditions, finalize tactics, and strengthen team cohesion before major international tournaments.

South African sports authorities have called for a review of the circumstances that led to the disruption. Officials stressed the importance of ensuring that administrative processes are completed on time to avoid affecting the team's competitive readiness.

Despite the setback, the federation remains optimistic that the issue will be resolved quickly, allowing the squad to continue its preparations without significant impact on its World Cup ambitions.

South Africa is set to compete in a challenging group and hopes to make a strong impression on the global stage as it seeks to advance beyond the opening phase of the tournament.