South Africa delays travel plans for 2026 World Cup due to visa issues

South Africa's national football team, 'Bafana Bafana', is en route to Mexico for the 2026 World Cup, but their departure was delayed by a day due to visa complications for a stopover in the United States. The South African Football Association (SAFA) held an emergency meeting to address the situation, ensuring all players are set but still working on visas for four backroom staff members. The incident drew criticism from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who labeled the situation as 'shameful'. The head coach, Hugo Broos, expressed concern about the impact of this delay on training and acclimatization ahead of their June 11 debut. SAFA formed a management committee to prevent future logistical issues and thanked the U.S. consulate for their assistance.

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