McKenzie: SA will not boycott World Cup

Sport Minister, Gayton McKenzie, says government does not support calls for Bafana Bafana to boycott the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The global showpiece will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada between June 11 and July 19. South Africa play in the opening match against Mexico in Mexico City.

There have been calls for Bafana, who have qualified for their first World Cup since 2002, to boycott the tournament over alleged discriminatory visa restrictions imposed by the US.

However, McKenzie said South Africa will honour their group-stage fixtures in both the US and Mexico.

“I also want to address calls from some quarters, including the EFF, for African countries to boycott the Fifa World Cup because of travel restrictions imposed by the US,” McKenzie said.

“The problem with people like Malema is they just wake up and decide: what nonsense can I talk today? How do you boycott the World Cup? It has everything to do with sponsors: our players who are playing overseas will be banned. It will be Armageddon.”

FIFA unveiled the 2026 World Cup match schedule at an event held in Washington DC, USA, on Saturday. Legends Ronaldo, Totti, Stoichkov and Lalas among others, were on hand to help reveal the schedule. Bafana Bafana’s group schedule is below:#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/F5wfrD2vPq

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 6, 2025

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari