Travel Chaos: South Africa World Cup Flight To Mexico On Hold 11 Days Before Kickoff

Bafana Bafana World Cup departure delayed over visa issues ahead of Mexico opener

South Africa’s World Cup trip hit by visa delays 11 days before Mexico opener. Emergency meeting called as departure to Pachuca base stalls.

Visa bungle leaves South Africa stuck before World Cup. Bafana due to play Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea in Group A after qualifying drama...

South Africa’s trip to the 2026 World Cup hit a snag on Sunday. With 11 days left until their tournament opener against co-hosts Mexico, several players and staff still hadn’t received their visas.

Bafana Bafana were meant to fly out on a charter to their training base in Pachuca, Mexico. That departure is now on hold indefinitely until the visa problems are sorted.

“The South African senior men’s national team has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials, and as a result the group could not travel to North America this morning as originally planned,” the South African Football Association (SAFA) said in a statement on Sunday.  

“SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible. We remain committed to ensuring that the team’s preparations for the tournament remain on track and in the meantime, Bafana Bafana will continue to train in Johannesburg until departure.”

The federation said it would call an emergency committee meeting Sunday night to address the visa delays.

“This SAFA travel and visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff,” he said.

“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.”

Bafana Bafana kick off the World Cup against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on June 11. It’s their first appearance at the finals since they hosted the tournament themselves in 2010.

An admin error in qualifying nearly derailed their campaign. Their 2-0 win over Lesotho was overturned after they fielded Teboho Mokoena while he was suspended for yellow card accumulation.

This @SAFA_net travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff. I have informed @SAFA_net that I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess. We are being made to look like fools.

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) May 31, 2026

Even with the points deduction, South Africa still topped their group by a point, finishing ahead of Nigeria and Benin.

After Mexico, South Africa face the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18, then South Korea in Monterrey on June 24 for their other Group A matches.