🤯 Making fools of us: World Cup nation hit by travel chaos | OneFootball

Shortly before the start of the World Cup, South Africa is making unexpected headlines. Bafana Bafana are currently unable to begin their planned trip to North America due to problems with the issuance of visas. As a result, the World Cup participant’s departure had to be postponed at short notice. Particularly explosive: South Africa is set to play the tournament’s opening match against host nation Mexico on June 11 (9 p.m. German time).

Visa problems stop South Africa’s departure

The South African national team was actually supposed to leave for North America on Sunday. Instead, the team is remaining in Johannesburg for the time being. According to the national football association SAFA, several players and association representatives are facing difficulties with the necessary entry documents. To avoid completely interrupting preparations, the team will continue training at home for now. At the same time, the association is discussing the next steps in an emergency meeting convened at short notice.

South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie voiced sharp criticism. On social media, he vented his anger, writing: “This travel and visa debacle by the association is embarrassing and grossly unfair to the players and coaching staff.”

The minister also announced consequences: “I have informed the association that I expect a report and that action must be taken against those responsible. (…) We are making fools of ourselves.”

That the entry regulations surrounding the World Cup are causing debate is nothing new. For months, there have been discussions about stricter visa requirements for various nations. Fans from some countries must in some cases meet extensive security requirements to be granted entry to the United States. Although these rules do not apply to players and officials, they too must go through an elaborate screening process.

Comparable problems had already caused a stir several months earlier. At that time, several representatives of the Iranian football association were unable to attend a meeting of the Asian football confederation because of visa obstacles. Now, with South Africa, a World Cup participant is for the first time directly affected by such difficulties.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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