A paperwork mishap at the United States Embassy in Johannesburg left at least 20 members of South Africa’s travelling party without valid travel documentation, forcing the postponement of the national team’s scheduled charter flight to Mexico City — just 10 days before their tournament opener at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, preventing the national team from departing on their scheduled chartered flight to Mexico City.
According to SABC News, the paperwork mishap left several players without the required travel documentation for North America. Subsequent reporting confirmed that at least 20 members of the travelling delegation, the majority of them players were still awaiting visa processing at the United States Embassy in Johannesburg when the chartered aircraft was due to depart in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the setback in an official media release, acknowledging that the squad had encountered challenges related to travel visas for some players and officials, and that as a consequence the group could not travel to North America as originally planned.
The association confirmed that training would continue in Johannesburg in the interim, and that it remained committed to ensuring the team’s preparations for the tournament remained on track despite the delay.
The timing of the disruption is particularly concerning for head coach Hugo Broos, who had carefully structured the build-up to South Africa’s return to the World Cup, their first participation since hosting the tournament in 2010. The Belgian tactician had specifically selected Pachuca as the squad’s base camp due to its elevation of approximately 2,300 metres above sea level, having stressed repeatedly that the squad would require at least ten days to fully acclimatise to the demanding high-altitude environment ahead of their Group A fixtures. Every day lost on home soil directly diminishes that critical adaptation window.
Reports further indicate that one or two members of the technical staff had visa applications declined outright, compounding the disruption as SAFA worked urgently to resolve matters through diplomatic channels. Broos himself was reported to be the only member of the travelling delegation confirmed to hold the necessary travel clearances at the time of the original departure.
The incident triggered an immediate and forceful response from the South African government. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie expressed his frustration publicly, demanding to know how such a fundamental logistical requirement had been overlooked at such a critical juncture. The spectacle of a national team being grounded by administrative error having been publicly farewelled the previous day, drew widespread criticism and calls for accountability within football administration circles.
McKenzie subsequently provided an update via social media, confirming that all Bafana Bafana players had ultimately received their visas to travel to the United States and Mexico. The minister noted that outstanding clearances remained for an assistant coach, the team doctor, the head of security, and one analyst, and confirmed that the charter flight would depart on Monday, 2 June 2026, one day behind the original schedule.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed on Sunday evening that all Bafana Bafana players have received their visas. A small number of technical staff remain outstanding. The chartered flight is expected to depart from OR Tambo International Airport on Monday, 2 June 2026.