SAFA Bungles Leave Bafana Bafana Stranded — Visa Chaos Ahead of World Cup

SAFA Bungles Leave Bafana Bafana Stranded

The national team's departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was pushed back a full day after the SAFA administrative team failed to handle visa applications properly. This latest mix-up has once again put South African football under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, leaving players and fans frustrated as the squad prepares to face Mexico in their opening match.

Minister McKenzie Slams the Debacle

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie did not hold back, calling out SAFA directly for the mess. He described the situation as embarrassing and grossly unfair to the players, highlighting how administrative failures continue to disrupt the team's focus ahead of a major tournament. McKenzie later shared on social media that all Bafana Bafana players had finally received their visas to travel to the USA.

Focus Turns to Team Manager Vincent Tseka

Blame has landed squarely on controversial Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka for the visa issues. His track record already includes a FIFA charge against the team for fielding an ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on March 21, 2025, a mistake that nearly derailed South Africa's place at the tournament.

Players Finally Depart While Staff Remain Grounded

All Bafana Bafana players secured their US visas and left on Monday, June 1, 2026. However, four members of the technical team are still waiting on their documents, with no clear timeline for when they might join the squad. This split leaves the coaching setup incomplete just as preparations intensify.

Tseka's Past Gestures and Ongoing Scrutiny

Tseka drew attention after Bafana's 3-0 win over Rwanda on October 14, when he walked onto the pitch and put his finger to his lips in a direct gesture toward his critics. That moment now sits alongside fresh questions about his role in the current visa delays, adding to the sense that SAFA's internal problems keep resurfacing at the worst possible times.

Looking Ahead to Mexico

With the opening match against Mexico looming, the delayed departure and missing technical staff create unnecessary pressure on a squad that should be focused on performance rather than paperwork. South African football fans deserve better from an organisation that claims to support the national team.