Source: Africa Publicity
South Africa’s national men’s football team, the Bafana Bafana, is facing challenges in securing visas for some of its players and staff.
According to the South African Football Association (SAFA), the team was scheduled to leave Johannesburg on Sunday, May 31, 2026 for a training camp in Mexico aboard a chartered flight, but “has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials”.
South Africa’s Sports Minister; Gayton McKenzie, called the visa situation a “mess” which he says is “embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff.”
McKenzie says he has requested a report from SAFA on the situation, warning that “action must be taken against those responsible.”
He lamented that “We are being made to look like fools.”
South Africa are in Group A of the 2026 World Cup alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
They are scheduled to play a friendly match against Jamaica on July 5 in Mexico, before facing Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup on June 11.
