Story perspectives

SA Soccer Team Delays Mexico Trip Over Visa Issues

5/31/2026

Summary

South Africa Postpones

South Africa's national men's soccer team postponed its May 31, 2026 travel to Mexico because visa problems kept the flight from departing.
The South African Football Association said visa delays affected at least 20 players and officials whose documents were being processed at the United States embassy in Johannesburg.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie called the situation embarrassing and unfair.
SAFA held a meeting on Sunday and kept training in Johannesburg.

Summary

South Africa Draws

Bafana Bafana drew 0-0 with Nicaragua, extending their winless run to four matches.
South Africa, one of ten African nations in the 48-team tournament co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada, last appeared at a World Cup in 2010, a 16-year gap.
In Group A they open on 11 June against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, then travel to Atlanta to face the Czech Republic.

History

Historical Context

South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first ever hosted on African soil, required massive logistical coordination and highlighted the nation’s limited visa-processing capacity. Repeating the pattern, the U.S. embassy in Johannesburg stalled travel permits for Bafana Bafana ahead of their 2026 qualifier trip, echoing past bottlenecks that have plagued the country’s three World Cup appearances (1998, 2002, 2010).

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South Africa Postpones

South Africa's national men's soccer team postponed its May 31, 2026 travel to Mexico because visa problems kept the flight from departing.
The South African Football Association said visa delays affected at least 20 players and officials whose documents were being processed at the United States embassy in Johannesburg.
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie called the situation embarrassing and unfair.
SAFA held a meeting on Sunday and kept training in Johannesburg.

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