South Africa’s national men's soccer team has delayed its planned departure to Mexico due to visa complications, less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup. The team, known as Bafana Bafana, was scheduled to travel to Mexico to begin its tournament preparations ahead of its opening match against co-host Mexico in Mexico City on June 11.

The postponement was confirmed by South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who initially described the situation as “embarrassing.” He later indicated on his social media platform X that the team would now depart on Monday, though details about the specific reasons for the visa issues were not elaborated upon.

The South African squad had been expected to arrive in Mexico in time to acclimate and prepare for their Group A match, which will mark the commencement of the expanded 48-team World Cup tournament. The delay raises concerns about the team’s readiness given the limited time remaining before their first game.

Meanwhile, FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing recent rule changes aimed at curbing time-wasting during matches. With the tournament set to begin shortly, officials have emphasized that referees will strictly apply new regulations to ensure that games proceed without unnecessary delays.

As preparations continue worldwide, South Africa’s visa setback highlights the logistical challenges teams face in organizing their World Cup campaigns amid tight schedules and increased global scrutiny. The team’s ability to adjust quickly will be tested in the days leading up to their opening fixture in Mexico City.