South Africa's national football team is scheduled to depart for the FIFA World Cup on Monday, a day later than originally planned, after a last‑minute scramble to secure travel documents for the entire delegation.
Visa hiccups expose administrative snag
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie publicly blamed an administrative error for the delay, demanding a full report on how the clearance process broke down and how it can be prevented in the future.
While the South African Football Association managed to obtain clearance for every player, four members of the support staff still lacked the necessary visas, forcing the delegation to postpone its departure until all paperwork was finalized.
Match schedule and group prospects
The team will open its tournament against Mexico in Mexico City on June 11, before traveling to Atlanta to face the Czech Republic and concluding the group stage in Monterrey against South Korea.
This tournament marks the nation's first World Cup appearance since it hosted the event in 2010, a milestone made sweeter by the fact that the squad had to navigate a suspension during the qualifying campaign before clinching its spot.
Officials say the delay will not affect preparation, and the players are eager to translate the momentum from qualifying into a strong showing on the world stage.