South Africa made to look like fools after World Cup visa issues, says minister

South Africa's sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, demanded an explanation after the country's football team was delayed travelling to Mexico ahead of the World Cup due to visa issues. McKenzie said he told Safa: "I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess." He also wrote on X, "We are being made to look like fools" and "This Safa travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff."

The South African Football Association (Safa) admitted the team had "experienced challenges regarding Visas for some players and officials." The team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, are due to face Jamaica in a friendly in Mexico on Friday. They will then play in the World Cup opening match against Mexico on June 11. Safa said it was "working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match." The Bafana Bafana squad and staff need permission to enter the US as they play their second World Cup game against the Czech Republic in Atlanta.

According to South African news site TimesLive, efforts were being made to get the team US visas to allow the team to travel either later on Sunday or on Monday. The government's international relations department is also involved. Its spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told TimesLive that "we are trying to assist to have this resolved and do believe it will be resolved."