South Africa’s men’s national football team have been forced to postpone their planned trip to Mexico for their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations after visa complications disrupted travel arrangements.
The team, led by coach Hugo Broos, was scheduled to depart from OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday aboard a charter flight to Mexico City, before continuing to their training base in Pachuca. However, the trip was halted after administrative issues affected several members of the squad.
Reports indicate that some players’ visas were still being processed at the U.S. Embassy just hours before departure, while visa applications for certain team officials were reportedly denied, leading to the cancellation of the journey.
As a result, both players and coaching staff have remained in Johannesburg, where training sessions have continued while authorities work to resolve the issue and reschedule travel.
South Africa are set to face co-hosts Mexico in their opening World Cup match on June 11, followed by a second group-stage game in the United States before concluding their campaign back in Mexico.
The disruption has triggered strong reactions back home, with South Africa’s Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, calling for accountability from the South African Football Association (SAFA). He has demanded a full report and insisted that those responsible for the setback should face consequences for what he described as an embarrassing situation for the country.
This incident adds to a series of administrative controversies involving South African football authorities in recent years, including delays in payments to national teams and a previous World Cup qualification scare after the team was docked points for fielding an ineligible player.
South Africa return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. However, they are still searching for their first knockout-stage appearance, having failed to progress beyond the group stage in their previous three outings.