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  "path": "/sport/football/south-africa-world-cup-visa-issues",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-31T14:23:32.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "The Iranian national team have also been affected by visa issues",
    "Over 750 arrested and 219 people injured after PSG Champions League celebrations",
    "Martin Keown insists 'there is more to come' from Arsenal after losing Champions League final",
    "Mikel Arteta explains penalty shootout decision and why Gabriel took Arsenal's fifth spot-kick",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSouth Africa's departure for the World Cup has been delayed over visa issues, as the country's sports minister hit out at the \"embarrassing\" situation.\n\nThe African nation was due to depart for their training base in the Mexican city of Pachucam, but were halted due to \"challenges regarding visas\" for some players and officials.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSports Minister Gayton McKenzie said: \"This SAFA [South African Football Association] travel and visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff.\n\n\"I travel, and the visa debacle is embarrassing and grossly unfair towards the players and coaching staff. We are being made to look like fools.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe country's football association said: \"SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible.\n\n\"We remain committed to ensuring that the team's preparations for the tournament remain on track, and in the meantime, Bafana Bafana will continue to train in Johannesburg until departure.\"\n\nSouth Africa are set to kick off the World Cup in Mexico City on June 11, appearing at the finals of the competition for the first time since they hosted in 2010.\n\nThe Iranian national team have also been affected by visa issues, and now have to be hosted by Mexico for the tournament.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Over 750 arrested and 219 people injured after PSG Champions League celebrations\n  * Martin Keown insists 'there is more to come' from Arsenal after losing Champions League final\n  * Mikel Arteta explains penalty shootout decision and why Gabriel took Arsenal's fifth spot-kick\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe team had originally planned to set up its camp in Tucson, Arizona.\n\nMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed the United States had requested that Mexico host Iran.\n\nSheinbaum said: \"The United States does not want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States.\n\n\"They asked us because they are going to play all three matches there. So they asked us: 'Can they stay overnight in Mexico?'\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"And we said: 'Yes, no problem.' We have absolutely no problem with that.\"\n\nFifa have confirmed that Iran's training base will be at Centro Xoloitzcuintle in Tijuana, Mexico.\n\nThe World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, with all three of Iran's games in the US.\n\nIran will kick off its campaign against New Zealand on June 15, before facing Belgium six days later, with both games being held in Los Angeles.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Iranian team will play its third match in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.\n\nIran are currently preparing for the tournament in Antalya, southern Turkey.\n\nThe country's sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, confirmed the squad will be given visas to play in the US.\n\nHe said: \"The Fifa president promised us that all our players would receive visas. There is no reason why our players should not receive visas.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "South Africa's World Cup departure delayed over visa issues days before first match: 'Embarrassing!'"
}