Mexico city: South Africa's national men's soccer team, Bafana Bafana, have arrived in Mexico ahead of the start of the FIFA Soccer World Cup next week. Their safe arrival was announced on social media platform, X, on Tuesday. The team departed for the tournament on Monday after securing visas for all the players on Sunday, 31 May.

According to South African Government News Agency, the South African Football Association (SAFA) held an Emergency Committee Meeting on Sunday night, 31 May, to discuss issues around the team's delayed travel plans to Mexico. It was revealed that four members of the camp had outstanding visas for the North American trip.

To enhance operational coordination during the FIFA World Cup, SAFA has established a three-member organizing committee. The committee comprises Bafana Bafana Head of Delegation David Molwantwa, SAFA Chairperson of the Finance Committee Mxolisi Sibam, and Team Manager Vincent Tseka. They will work together to ensure that any logistical or administrative matters during the global tournament are addressed promptly.

SAFA acknowledged the impact of the visa delays, which caused the team to lose a day in its travel and preparation schedule. However, they expressed satisfaction that the issue has been substantially resolved and that the team's World Cup plans remain on course. SAFA also apologized to the nation for the unexpected travel delays and thanked the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the US Consulate in Johannesburg for their assistance in securing the visas.

This year's FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his weekly newsletter on Monday, urged South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the team prepares for its return to the FIFA World Cup. He encouraged the nation to show their support by wearing team colors and flying the flag.