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

South Africa’s sports minister has demanded an explanation after the country’s football team was delayed travelling to Mexico ahead of the World Cup due to visa issues.

The South African Football Association (Safa) admitted the team had “experienced challenges regarding Visas for some players and officials” but did not give further details.National broadcaster SABC described what happened as an “administrative bungle”.

In response, sports minister Gayton McKenzie said he had told Safa: “I need a report and action must be taken against those responsible for this mess.”

“We are being made to look like fools,” he added on X.

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, which is co-hosting the competition alongside the US and Canada, on 11 June.

“This Safa travel & visa debacle is embarrassing & grossly unfair towards the players & coaching staff,” McKenzie also wrote on X.

A brief statement from 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”.

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 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.

The government’s international relations department is also involved.

Its spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told TimesLive that, while it was an administrative issue between Safa and the US consulate, “we are trying to assist to have this resolved and do believe it will be resolved.

“We can’t put deadlines for another government but we know they are attending to it.”

South Africa is one of 10 African nations taking part in the expanded 48-team World Cup.

The game against Jamaica will be Bafana Bafana’s last chance to get ready for the tournament, which they last appeared at when South Africa hosted the finals in 2010.

Their final home match on Friday – a 0-0 draw against Nicaragua that included a missed South African penalty – was described in some reports as “disappointing” and extended their winless run to four games.