The South African national football team, Bafana Bafana, has departed for their World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico, ahead of their opening match on June 11, 2026. The delegation left Johannesburg on Monday, following a significant delay in their planned Sunday departure. This delay was attributed to issues with visa issuances for several players and support staff, which the South African Football Association (SAFA) described as an administrative error.

Notably absent from the charter flight was assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, a former international player. Mkhalele has not yet secured a visa to enter the United States, a requirement for the team's upcoming matches. He is expected to travel at a later date once the visa application is resolved. The team is scheduled to play a friendly match in Mexico before commencing their World Cup campaign.

The visa complications caused a frantic 24-hour period for the team and SAFA officials. SAFA president Danny Jordaan expressed frustration with the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, stating that the visa was refused without explanation. Jordaan indicated that while all players and most of the technical staff were on board, the lack of clear reasons for the denial made the situation difficult to navigate, though he remained hopeful for a swift resolution.

Despite the travel hiccup, head coach Hugo Broos conveyed relief that the team could finally proceed to Mexico. He acknowledged the stressful preceding days but emphasized that the focus would now shift entirely to preparation for their opening game against the tournament cohosts. Broos highlighted the short timeframe available for training and preparation, underscoring the need to concentrate on the immediate task of facing Mexico.

South Africa has been drawn in Group A for the World Cup. Following their opening match against Mexico, they are scheduled to play against Czechia in Atlanta on June 18. Their final group stage match will be against South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, six days later. This marks South Africa's fourth appearance in the World Cup, with the team aiming to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.

The team's departure was finally confirmed via the official Bafana Bafana social media account, which posted an update with emojis indicating their journey to Mexico. The post included well wishes for the team to "make us proud and fly the flag high."

The incident highlights the logistical challenges that can arise in international sports, particularly concerning travel and visa regulations for large delegations. SAFA's description of the issue as an "administrative bungle" suggests a breakdown in the usual processes, leading to unexpected disruptions for the national team.

As the team begins its training camp, the unresolved visa status of assistant coach Mkhalele remains a point of concern, with his eventual arrival dependent on the successful processing of his application. The team's performance in the upcoming World Cup will be closely watched, especially given their ambition to make history by progressing from the group stages.