“We Are Being Made to Look Like Fools!” — South Africa’s World Cup Plans Thrown Into Chaos by Visa Crisis

South Africa’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup descended into turmoil on Sunday after visa complications forced Bafana Bafana to delay their departure for Mexico, prompting furious criticism from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie.

The national team had been scheduled to leave Johannesburg on a charter flight for their training base in Pachuca, Mexico, ahead of their opening World Cup match against co-hosts Mexico on June 11. However, unresolved visa issues involving several players and officials halted the trip at the last minute.

An angry McKenzie publicly condemned the South African Football Association (SAFA), describing the situation as “embarrassing” and demanding accountability from football administrators.

“This SAFA travel and visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff,” McKenzie wrote on X.

“I have informed SAFA that I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess. We are being made to look like fools.”

SAFA later confirmed the squad’s planned departure had been postponed because of “challenges regarding visas” affecting members of the travelling delegation.

According to Reuters, all players eventually received clearance to travel through the United States by Sunday evening, although several staff members — including an assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and an analyst — were still awaiting documentation.

McKenzie subsequently confirmed the team would now depart on Monday instead of Sunday.

The delay represents a major setback for coach Hugo Broos, who had previously stressed the importance of arriving in Mexico early enough for players to recover from jet lag and acclimatise to the country’s high altitude conditions before the tournament begins.

South Africa’s training camp is based in Pachuca, a city located more than 2,400 metres above sea level — significantly higher than Johannesburg.

The administrative crisis has also reignited criticism surrounding SAFA’s organizational efficiency after the federation narrowly avoided disaster earlier during World Cup qualifying.

South Africa almost lost their qualification spot after fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a qualifying match against Lesotho, resulting in disciplinary sanctions that nearly derailed their campaign.

Despite that controversy, Bafana Bafana still secured qualification for their first World Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010.

The team recently announced a 26-man squad featuring Burnley striker Lyle Foster, veteran midfielder Themba Zwane and several players from domestic giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

South Africa have been drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea. Their opening match against Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca is expected to attract massive global attention.

The visa confusion has now overshadowed what had previously been a positive buildup for Broos’ squad after South African club football recently enjoyed continental success through Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League triumph.

South Africa are also due to face Jamaica in a pre-World Cup friendly later this week as part of their final preparations.

With the World Cup now just days away, pressure is mounting on SAFA to ensure the team’s disrupted preparations do not spiral into a larger sporting embarrassment.