South Africa's World Cup Squad Travel Delayed by Visa Scandal

South Africa's national football team was scheduled to depart on a private flight to its training camp in Pachuca, Mexico, but the trip was postponed as the South African Football Association worked to finalize the necessary paperwork.

South African Sports Minister Gaiton McKenzie expressed his frustration on the platform X, describing the travel and visa scandal caused by the football association as "embarrassing and completely unfair to the players and coaching staff."

He added, "I have informed the association that I require a report and that action must be taken against those responsible for this chaos. They are making us look foolish."

The local football association issued a statement explaining that the team was unable to travel as planned due to "visa-related issues" affecting some players and officials.

Without providing further details on the specific problems, the statement said, "The South African Football Association is working around the clock to ensure the delegation travels to Mexico City as soon as possible."

It also confirmed, "We remain committed to keeping the team's preparations for the tournament on track, and the team will continue training in Johannesburg until departure."

South Africa is set to play the opening match of the World Cup against Mexico, one of the host countries, in Mexico City on June 11. This marks South Africa's first World Cup appearance since hosting the tournament in 2010.

The team will also face the Czech Republic on June 18 in Atlanta and South Korea on June 24 in Monterrey, both matches part of Group A.