Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has confirmed a major breakthrough in the Bafana Bafana visa saga, announcing on Sunday evening that all playing personnel have finally been cleared to travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa’s preparations for the tournament suffered a huge setback after visa delays forced the postponement of the team’s planned departure for Mexico on Sunday. The squad was scheduled to depart from OR Tambo International Airport aboard a chartered flight to Mexico.
BAFANA BAFANA WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS HIT A SNAG FOLLOWING VISA PROBLEMS
As FARPost had earlier reported, about 20 members of the travelling delegation have not yet received their visas.
The decision to allow the team to travel on Sunday was to allow them to adjust to conditions in Mexico and prepare for the friendly match against Jamaica on Friday.
The visa issue has led to SAFA calling an emergency National Executive Committee [NEC] meeting on Sunday evening. Earlier on, McKenzie had described the issue as embarrassing and demanded answers from the football mother body.
“This SAFA travel and visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff,” McKenzie wrote on X.
“I have informed SAFA that I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess. We are being made to look like fools.”
All @BafanaBafana players received their visas to travel to the USA, outstanding is assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst. The charter will leave tomorrow.
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) May 31, 2026
MINISTER GAYTON MCKENZIE ISSUES A POSITIVE UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL TEAM
However, McKenzie issued another update on Sunday evening, confirming that all players had received their visas. But assistant coach Helman Mkhalele is one of those who are yet to receive their visas.
“All Bafana Bafana players received their visas to travel to the USA. Outstanding is the assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst. The charter will leave tomorrow,” wrote McKenzie.
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