South Africa World Cup Squad Departs for Mexico Training Camp Amid Visa Issues
Quick Look
- The South African national football team has departed for their World Cup training base in Mexico after a visa delay.
- Assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was left behind due to a denied US visa, with SAFA president Danny Jordaan criticizing the US Consulate General for a lack of reasons.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The South African national football team is traveling to Mexico for their World Cup training base. Their departure was delayed due to visa issues, specifically for assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, who was denied a US visa.
The South African national team members have left for their World Cup training base in Pachuca, Mexico, in advance of their opening game against the tournament cohosts on June 11.
The delegation that left on Monday did not include assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, who has yet to obtain a United States visa.
The charter flight departed Johannesburg following a frantic 24 hours after the squad was originally scheduled to leave on Sunday, but was held back by a delay in obtaining visas in what was described as an administrative bungle by the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Mkhalele, a former international winger who played 66 times for Bafana Bafana, including at their World Cup debut in France in 1998, will have to travel later after his visa application was initially denied.
Blaming the US Consulate General in Johannesburg for the delay, SAFA president Danny Jordaan told the South African Broadcasting Corporation, “They refused the visa, but gave no reasons. It is very difficult to deal with the process where you get no information.”
“We don’t know [why it was denied], we are clutching in the dark, but we hope the matter will be resolved [soon]. All of the players are [on the flight] and 99 percent of the technical staff.”
South Africa are due to play Jamaica in a friendly on Friday before taking on Mexico in the showpiece opening match in Mexico City.
“Now we are very happy that we can go to Mexico,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said. “The past days have been a little bit stressful with all the problems we had, but those problems are behind us now, and we can focus on what’s coming.”
“These 10 days go very fast. Once we get there, we will start working, focusing on the first game against Mexico, so time will pass very quickly. I think everybody is looking forward to starting the World Cup.”
South Africa are in Group A and will face Czechia in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, six days later.
They are appearing in their fourth World Cup and looking to advance from the group stage for the first time.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Helman Mkhalele will eventually obtain his visa and join the team.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What are the specific reasons for Helman Mkhalele's visa denial?
- When will Helman Mkhalele be able to obtain his US visa and join the team?
- Will the visa issues affect other team members or future travel arrangements?
- What is the US Consulate General's official response to SAFA's accusations?
