South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, will depart for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America on Monday after visa delays that threatened to disrupt the team's travel plans were largely resolved.

The team had been scheduled to leave for Mexico early on Sunday but will now depart more than 24 hours later.

Four members of the travelling delegation are still awaiting visas: the assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and an analyst.

Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who had criticised the South African Football Association (SAFA) over the administrative problems that caused the delay, confirmed that all players had received their travel documents.

Visa concerns

"All BafanaBafana players received their visas to travel to the USA, outstanding is assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst," McKenzie wrote on X.

"The charter will leave tomorrow (Monday)," he added.

The visa delays sparked concern over the team's preparations for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Bafana Bafana are scheduled to play Jamaica in a warm-up match in Mexico before the start of the competition.

South Africa will then open their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on June 11.