South Africa’s Proof Makgopa celebrates scoring their third aim with teammates in opposition to Rwanda in Fifa World Cup CAF Qualifiers at Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa – October 14, 2025. — Reuters
CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s departure for the 2026 World Cup was delayed on Sunday after some gamers had been but to obtain their visas.
The workforce was resulting from depart on a constitution flight for his or her coaching base within the Mexican metropolis of Pachuca, however that has been delayed “indefinitely,” in keeping with the South African Broadcasting Company.
South African Soccer Affiliation (Safa) officers didn’t reply to requests for remark, however Sports activities Minister Gayton McKenzie supplied a stinging rebuke in a submit on X.
“This Safa travel and visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff,” he mentioned.
“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.”
South Africa play within the World Cup opener in opposition to co-hosts Mexico in Mexico Metropolis on June 11, and are showing on the international finals for the primary time since they had been hosts themselves in 2010.
An administrative bungle in qualifying nearly value them their place on the finals when their 2-0 victory over Lesotho was overturned after they fielded an ineligible participant in Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended for the conflict resulting from an accumulation of yellow playing cards.
Regardless of this, they nonetheless completed a degree forward of Nigeria and Benin of their qualification pool.
South Africa even have Group A video games in opposition to Czech Republic (June 18) in Atlanta and South Korea (June 24) in Monterrey.
