South African Team Departs for Mexico World Cup Base One Day Late After Visa Issues

The South African national football team departed Johannesburg on Monday for its World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico. The charter flight left one day later than planned after visa processing delays held up several players and staff members. Assistant coach Helman Mkhalele did not travel with the squad because he has not yet received a United States visa.

Mkhalele, who played 66 times for South Africa and appeared at the 1998 World Cup in France, had his application initially denied. S. Consulate General in Johannesburg for the delay.

“They refused the visa, but gave no reasons. It is very difficult to deal with the process where you get no information,” Jordaan told the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Jordaan added that officials remain uncertain about the reason for the denial.

“We don’t know [why it was denied], we are clutching in the dark, but we hope the matter will be resolved [soon]. All of the players are [on the flight] and 99 percent of the technical staff,” he said. South Africa coach Hugo Broos said the team is relieved to be on its way.

“Now we are very happy that we can go to Mexico. The past days have been a little bit stressful with all the problems we had, but those problems are behind us now, and we can focus on what’s coming,” Broos said. The squad is scheduled to play Jamaica in a friendly match on Friday before opening the 2026 World Cup against Mexico on June 11 in Mexico City.

South Africa will also face Czechia in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 24. South Africa are drawn in Group A and will make their fourth appearance at the World Cup. The team has yet to advance from the group stage in any previous tournament.