South Africa’s national football team missed its planned Sunday departure for a World Cup training camp in Mexico after visa processing delays at the US embassy in Johannesburg. Sports minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed on Sunday that all players had received their visas, with the charter flight now set for Monday. Four staff members remain without documents.
The South African Football Association had scheduled the squad to fly from Johannesburg to Mexico City on Sunday morning ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead, at least 20 members of the travelling party waited for visas at the United States embassy, forcing the postponement.
McKenzie stated on social media that players now hold the required documents. The remaining outstanding cases involve the assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst. The charter is due to depart on Monday, 1 June.
SAFA said it is working to resolve the matter so the team can reach Pachuca before its opening match against Mexico on 11 June. Deputy minister of sport Peace Mabe described the episode as shocking and called for accountability within the federation.
