South Africa postpones travel to Mexico for World Cup due to visa issues

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - South Africa's national men's soccer team has postponed its travel to Mexico because of visa issues, just 11 days ahead of the World Cup.

The Bafana Bafana players were supposed to leave for Mexico on Sunday to start its preparations for the tournament. The team is set to play co-host Mexico in the opening game in Mexico City on June 11.

South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie had called the situation "embarrassing" but said later on X that the team would now be departing on Monday.

"All @BafanaBafana players received their visas to travel to the USA, outstanding is assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst," McKenzie said. "The charter will leave tomorrow."

"The South African senior men's national team has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials, and as a result the group could not travel to North America this morning as originally planned," the South African Football Association said in a statement earlier Sunday.

"SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match of the global tournament," the statement said.

The team will continue to train in Johannesburg, South Africa, until departure. SAFA said it would provide an update on the situation after an emergency meeting on Sunday evening.

South Africa also faces the Czech Republic and South Korea in Group A.