South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie demanded accountability after visa issues delayed the national football team's travel to Mexico ahead of a World Cup warm-up match in June 2026. The South African national broadcaster SABC reported that an "administrative bungle" meant some players had not been issued the necessary visas.
McKenzie, who is overseeing preparations for the country's first World Cup appearance since 2010, told the South African Football Association (Safa), "I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess." He later posted on X, "We are being made to look like fools." He added, "This Safa travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff."
Safa has not yet commented on the visa issues affecting the team. According to TimesLive, efforts were underway to secure U.S. visas for the squad to enable travel either later on Sunday or on Monday. The team requires U.S. visas because its second World Cup match is scheduled against the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
The national team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, is set to play a friendly against Jamaica in Mexico on Friday as part of its World Cup preparations. South Africa is one of 10 African nations participating in the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Before departing for Mexico, South Africa played its final home match against Nicaragua, ending in a 0-0 draw. During that game, the team missed a penalty kick and extended its winless run to four matches. The match marked the conclusion of domestic preparations before the squad’s scheduled departure for international warm-up fixtures. South Africa last appeared in the World Cup in 2010 when it hosted the tournament.
No independent assessment of Gayton McKenzie’s claims was available.