The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced the formation of a three-member organising committee to oversee Bafana Bafana’s administrative affairs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The committee will be made up of Head of Delegation David Molwantwa, Finance Committee Chairperson Mxolisi Sibam, and Team Manager Vincent Tseka.
The emergency committee was formed in response to visa complications that initially prevented several players, along with members of the technical and support staff, from traveling with the squad.
SAFA confirmed that visas have since been secured for all players and that only four are outstanding for four members of the camp, including assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and one analyst. The update was also confirmed by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie in a social media post.
Explaining the committee’s role, the statement read: “The three will work together in ensuring that any logistical or administrative matters that may arise during the global tournament are dealt with expeditiously.”
The governing body acknowledged that visa delays disrupted the team’s preparations, resulting in the loss of a valuable day in Bafana Bafana’s travel schedule. However, SAFA maintained that the issue had largely been resolved, adding: “While the visa delays resulted in the team losing a valuable day in its travel and preparation schedule, SAFA is satisfied that the matter has now been substantially resolved and that the team’s World Cup plans remain firmly on course.”
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SAFA also apologised to South Africans for the inconvenience caused by the travel setback. In its statement, the association said: “SAFA apologises to the nation for these unexpected travel delays and would like to thank the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for their assistance, as well as the US Consulate in Johannesburg who went beyond their call of duty over the weekend to ensure that the visas were issued for all our players to travel.”
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup preparations continue with a friendly against Jamaica before South Africa opens its World Cup campaign against Mexico on June 11.