South Africa football team faces visa issues delaying departure to Mexico
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: May 31, 2026, 5:24 PM
Last updated May 31, 2026
The South African national football team is experiencing visa issues that have delayed their departure to Mexico for upcoming matches. The country's football association is actively working to resolve these problems, according to a government minister. This situation has raised concerns about the team's ability to prepare in time for their scheduled engagements. The minister criticizes the handling of the visa process, stating that it reflects poorly on the country. Immediate efforts are underway to facilitate the travel process for the players.
- •South Africa's football team delayed in departing for Mexico
- •Visa problems are being addressed by the football association
- •Government minister criticizes the handling of visa issues
- •Concerns over team preparation for upcoming matches
- •Immediate steps being taken to resolve travel complications
- 5:24 PMYahoo Sports — South Africa delay World Cup trip on visa snarl
- 2:01 PMYahoo Sports — South Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister
- 2:01 PMBBC Football — South Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister
- 9:51 AMBBC News — South Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister - BBC
"World Cup-bound South Africa delayed their departure for the global showpiece after visa problems disrupted the team's travel plans, the national football association said on Sunday.The squad was scheduled to leave Johannesburg Sunday morning for a training camp in Mexico aboard a chartered flight, but "experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials," the South African Football Association (SAFA) said in a statement.
"The country's football association says it is working to resolve the problems that have delayed the team's departure to Mexico.
"The country's football association says it is working to resolve the problems that have delayed the team's departure to Mexico.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsMay 31, 2026, 5:24 PMSouth Africa delay World Cup trip on visa snarl
World Cup-bound South Africa delayed their departure for the global showpiece after visa problems disrupted the team's travel plans, the national football association said on Sunday.The squad was scheduled to leave Johannesburg Sunday morning for a training camp in Mexico aboard a chartered flight, but "experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials," the South African Football Association (SAFA) said in a statement.
- Yahoo SportsMay 31, 2026, 2:01 PMSouth Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister
The country's football association says it is working to resolve the problems that have delayed the team's departure to Mexico.
- BBC FootballMay 31, 2026, 2:01 PMSouth Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister
The country's football association says it is working to resolve the problems that have delayed the team's departure to Mexico.
- BBC NewsMay 31, 2026, 9:51 AMSouth Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister - BBC
After a day of uncertainty, the government confirms the team will depart for Mexico on Monday.
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