South Africa Football Team Working to Resolve Visa Issues Before World Cup Opener

South Africa's national football team faced travel delays to Mexico after visa issues prevented some players and officials from departing as planned. The South African Football Association admitted the team had experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials. Sports minister Gayton McKenzie demanded a report and said action must be taken against those responsible.

"We are being made to look like fools," McKenzie wrote on X. " National broadcaster SABC called the episode an administrative bungle. The South African Football Association issued a statement saying it was working around the clock to ensure the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match.

U.S. visas that would allow travel later on Sunday or on Monday. S. entry permission because its second World Cup match is against the Czech Republic in Atlanta.

The team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, is scheduled to face Jamaica in a friendly in Mexico on Friday. S. and Canada.

South Africa is one of 10 African nations competing in the expanded 48-team World Cup. The country last appeared at the tournament when it hosted the finals in 2010. On Friday, South Africa played its final home friendly, ending in a 0-0 draw against Nicaragua that included a missed South African penalty.

The result extended the team's winless run to four games.