The South African Football Association (SAFA) has assured fans that Bafana Bafana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain firmly on track despite recent visa-related travel delays affecting the national team’s journey to North America.
In a statement released following an Emergency Committee Meeting held on Sunday night, SAFA disclosed that significant progress had been made in resolving the administrative issues that temporarily disrupted the team’s travel arrangements.
According to the association, visas have now been secured for the majority of the South African delegation, with only four members of the camp still awaiting final clearance.
Read Also:Bafana update following SAFA Emergency Committee Meeting
SAFA said it is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the remaining visas are processed as quickly as possible, allowing all affected personnel to join the squad in Mexico.
To prevent similar challenges during the tournament, SAFA announced the establishment of a three-member organising committee tasked with overseeing the team’s administrative and logistical affairs throughout the World Cup.
The committee will be responsible for addressing any operational matters that may arise during the competition and ensuring swift resolutions.
The football governing body expressed confidence that the situation has been largely resolved and stressed that Bafana Bafana’s World Cup programme remains unaffected.
SAFA also issued an apology to South African supporters for the unexpected delays and thanked key stakeholders for their assistance in resolving the issue.
Special appreciation was extended to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the United States Consulate in Johannesburg for their efforts in facilitating the visa process over the weekend.
The development comes as South Africa finalises preparations for its participation in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With the visa concerns nearing resolution, attention can now return to football as Bafana Bafana look to make a strong impression on the world stage.
The latest reassurance from SAFA will come as welcome news to South African fans, who can now look forward to seeing their national team continue its World Cup preparations without major disruptions.
