World Cup teams hit by visa snags days before kickoff

South Africa’s squad departed Monday for Mexico without coach Hugo Broos, who was still awaiting a U.S. visa after a weekend-long travel document crisis.aljazeera
Switzerland flew to the U.S. on Tuesday without forward Breel Embolo, whose ESTA was unexpectedly placed under review tied to a past Swiss court ruling, according to Reuters.reuters
Expanded U.S. travel restrictions under executive orders have complicated logistics for multiple qualified nations, with Haiti and Iran also facing entry hurdles.fragomen

World Cup Teams Face Visa Hurdles Ahead of 2026 Tournament

With the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup just nine days away, multiple national teams have found their preparations disrupted not by injuries or tactics, but by travel documents. South Africa, Switzerland, and Haiti have all encountered visa or entry authorization problems as they attempt to reach the tournament’s three host nations.

South Africa’s Delayed Departure

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were scheduled to depart Johannesburg for their training base in Pachuca, Mexico, on Sunday but were grounded after visa complications affected at least 20 members of the traveling party, according to the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The South African Football Association confirmed the squad “experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials” and said technical staff members had their visas declined.espn

After what the team’s sports minister called a “debacle” that made South Africa “look like fools,” SAFA engaged in emergency efforts with the U.S. Embassy in Johannesburg to resolve outstanding documents. The squad departed on Monday for Pachuca, though coach Hugo Broos was reported to still be awaiting a U.S. visa. South Africa need U.S. entry clearance because their group-stage schedule will require travel across the border. Their opening match against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca is set for June 11.aljazeera

Embolo Left Behind by Switzerland

Switzerland’s squad flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday without striker Breel Embolo after his Electronic System for Travel Authorization was unexpectedly placed under review. The Swiss Football Association said his ESTA had been valid earlier that morning before the reversal came at 10:30 a.m. local time. Reuters reported the review was connected to a Swiss court ruling related to a 2018 incident in Basel that was finalized nine months ago. Embolo, who was born in Cameroon and has scored 24 goals in 86 international appearances, plays his club football for Rennes in France. The federation expressed confidence he would join the squad within a day or two.bbc

Haiti’s Pierre Cleared to Travel

In a more hopeful development, the U.S. government on Tuesday granted a visa to Woodensky Pierre, the 21-year-old defensive midfielder who is the only member of Haiti’s World Cup squad still living in the Caribbean nation. Pierre had been training on a synthetic grass pitch in Pétion-Ville, an upscale area of Port-au-Prince, while awaiting approval. Haiti is among 19 countries subject to a full U.S. visa suspension under executive orders issued by the Trump administration, though an exemption covers World Cup athletes, coaches, and essential support staff. Pierre is set to travel to Florida to join his teammates.fragomen

The complications reflect the broader challenge of staging a 48-team global tournament against the backdrop of expanded U.S. travel restrictions. Iran has also faced hurdles, with Mexican officials simplifying visa procedures for their delegation after diplomatic intervention. FIFA and the U.S. State Department have created programs such as the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System and visa bond waivers for ticket holders, but the experiences of South Africa, Switzerland, and Haiti suggest that logistical friction remains a persistent issue as kickoff approaches.espn