sports
South Africa World Cup Squad Faces Visa Delay for Mexico Trip
Bafana Bafana remained grounded in Johannesburg after visas for some players and officials were delayed. The team was scheduled to depart Sunday for Mexico, where it faces the co-hosts in the opening match on June 11.
May 31, 7:32 AM·2m read4 sources
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The South African national men’s football team remained grounded in Johannesburg after visas for some players and officials were delayed for travel to Mexico. The squad had been scheduled to depart on a chartered flight from OR Tambo airport to Mexico City on Sunday morning. The South African Football Association said the team experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials.
As a result the group could not travel to North America as originally planned. Mexico will host South Africa in the World Cup’s opening game at the Estadio Azteca on June 11. SAFA stated it is working around the clock to ensure the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match.
The squad was given a grand public sendoff in Johannesburg on Saturday. SAFA called an emergency committee meeting later on Sunday to discuss the issue.
Bafana Bafana will continue to train in Johannesburg until departure. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie termed the situation “embarrassing and grossly unfair”. “We are being made to look like fools,” he said on social media platform X. South Africa will warm up for the World Cup with a friendly against Jamaica on June 5.
After taking on the cohosts in their opening group clash, they meet Czechia on June 18 and South Korea on June 24. Hugo Broos announced his 26-man squad on Wednesday, which included two uncapped players.
This marks South Africa’s first appearance in the tournament since hosting it in 2010. Members of Iran’s World Cup squad have also not been issued visas for the United States. Iran play their opening game against New Zealand on June 15.
According to Iranian state media reports on Saturday, FIFA has informed the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran vice president Mahdi Mohammadnabi that administrative work is in progress and the visas will be issued this week. U.S. to issue multiple-entry visas for the World Cup delegation since the team will travel in and out of the country for their matches.
