South Africa squad set to depart for World Cup after visa debacle delays travel

South Africa’s World Cup squad is finally set to leave Johannesburg on Monday after a visa dispute delayed their scheduled Sunday departure for the United States and Mexico, the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed.

All players have now secured their visas, but four staff members — an assistant coach, the team doctor, the head of security, and an analyst — were still awaiting theirs as the charter flight prepared to depart. SAFA expressed hope the remaining documents would be finalised in time for the quartet to join the flight.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie publicly condemned the situation on X, calling it an “embarrassing” administrative error by team officials and demanding a formal report from SAFA. The association, which held an emergency meeting on Sunday night, apologised for the disruption and acknowledged receiving assistance from the South African Foreign Ministry and the US Consulate in Johannesburg to resolve the issues.

The incident adds to a difficult period for South African football management. During World Cup qualifying, midfielder Teboho Mokoena played against Lesotho while suspended, a lapse that cost the team the result. Despite being stripped of that victory, South Africa still topped their group to qualify for the tournament.

It will be South Africa’s first World Cup appearance since they hosted the event in 2010. They open Group A against co-hosts Mexico on 11 June in Mexico City — a fixture that mirrors the opening match of the 2010 tournament, which ended 1-1. They then face the Czech Republic in Atlanta and South Korea in Monterrey.

In 2010, South Africa followed that draw with a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay before beating France 2-1 in their final group game, ultimately finishing third in the group and missing the knockout stage on goal difference. The squad will be hoping the administrative turbulence surrounding this campaign does not overshadow what would be a significant step forward on the pitch.