South Africa’s national football team has postponed its planned departure for a pre-World Cup training camp in Mexico after visa-related issues affected several members of the travelling delegation.

The team was expected to leave Johannesburg on Sunday aboard a chartered flight ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the South African Football Association (SAFA) announced that visa processing delays involving some players and officials forced a change in travel plans.

SAFA said efforts were underway to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and confirmed that an emergency meeting had been scheduled to address the matter.

Local reports indicated that visas for at least 20 members of the delegation were still being processed by the United States Embassy in Johannesburg, although the exact number of affected individuals has not been officially disclosed.

South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, expressed frustration over the development, describing the situation as unacceptable. He said authorities would seek answers regarding the delays and ensure accountability for the disruption caused to the team’s preparations.

The setback comes just days before South Africa begins its World Cup campaign. The team, popularly known as Bafana Bafana, has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea.

Making their first appearance at the tournament in 16 years, South Africa will open its campaign against Mexico on June 11 before facing the Czech Republic and South Korea in subsequent group-stage fixtures.

Bafana Bafana recently played out a goalless draw against Nicaragua in a friendly match in Soweto and are expected to face Jamaica in another warm-up game on June 5 as part of their preparations for the tournament.