By Lebone Rodah Mosima and Levy Masiteng
Bafana Bafana were set to depart for Mexico on Monday after all players finally secured their visas on Sunday, easing a tense administrative saga that delayed the national team’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The team was originally scheduled to leave for their training base in Pachuca, Mexico, on Sunday morning ahead of their historic return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010.
However, travel plans were abruptly halted after several players and team officials had not yet received the necessary visas required for travel through the United States, one of the tournament’s host countries.
The visa delays sparked widespread criticism, with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie describing the situation as an “embarrassing” and “grossly unfair” administrative failure.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it worked alongside the Department of International Relations and
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