Dozens of New Yorkers who were headed to Brazil for the World Cup were delayed after they were told to pick up their visas at the consulate in Manhattan on Thursday, but the office was closed for the opening of the games.
Travelers, some of whom had flights booked for Friday, said they were told to come to the consulate during specific hours Thursday afternoon.
But when they got there, the office was closed as the World Cup kicked off in Brazil with an opening ceremony and a match between the home team and Croatia.
"There was a line, there were people with their luggage in line that were ready to travel but it was closed," said Aubrey Tucker, who is headed to Brazil next week. "People were stranded."
When travelers returned Friday morning, they were told that the consulate is now only processing visas for those heading to the World Cup specifically. Others will have to wait.
The consulate, which had no immediate comment on the Thursday mixup, posted a message on its website Friday that it would close at 1 p.m. on June 17 and June 23 for Brazil's games against Mexico and Cameroon.
The World Cup ends July 13.
Local
--Roseanne Colletti contributed to this story
