Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has released a detailed expenditure report outlining the costs incurred by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The release of the statement on Sunday comes amid mounting political debate and formal parliamentary questions regarding the overall bill. However, McKenzie firmly defended the expenditure, maintaining that the department acted strictly within its constitutional mandate and operated with complete transparency during a historic tournament where Bafana Bafana made history by reaching the knockout stage for the very first time before bowing out in the Round of 32.
The department’s delegation included Bafana Bafana legends from the iconic 2010 World Cup squad, who featured in a high-profile exhibition match against their Mexican counterparts in Pachuca, Mexico, on 8 July.
In addition to the legends, the government sponsored supporters, journalists, influencers, and podcasters to rally behind Bafana Bafana, who concluded their tournament run in the Round of 32.
In an official statement, the department confirmed that a total of R30,945,370 was spent on the tournament activation.
INSIDE THE R30 MILLION BILL FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S 2026 WORLD CUP DELEGATION
“Over the past week, questions have been raised in Parliament and in the media about spending connected to South Africa’s engagement with the FIFA World Cup 2026, most of it centred on a figure of approximately R31 million, which is an amount that was openly disclosed in a parliamentary reply where there was nothing to hide,” said the sports minister in a statement on Sunday evening.
“Total number of participants sent to Mexico and USA: 151, excluding service provider team,” the department stated. The final consolidation of what private sponsors covered, with possible shortfalls to be funded separately, is currently underway through post-event reconciliation. The R7.86 million covered the official delegation responsible for delivering the
programme.”
Highlighting the inclusion of the 2010 squad, the statement explained: “The R6.71 million funded the South Africa 2010 Legends Programme. The match between the 2010 Bafana Bafana legends and Mexico’s 2010 legends was filled to capacity.
“Our football legends didn’t just travel to watch football. They represented South Africa in an official exhibition match and legacy events that celebrated our football history and kept the spirit of 2010 alive while promoting South African football on the global stage.”
The department also provided clarity on match ticket allocations for the delegation.
“The R3.01 million covered 294 official FIFA match tickets across three host cities. Those tickets formed part of the approved programme and allowed our delegation, stakeholders and programme participants to attend official World Cup fixtures linked to South Africa’s activation and engagement programme.”
DETAILS OF THE EXPENDITURE SPENT IN NORTH AMERICA
Official trips and travel-related expenditure for Minister and other officials: R7,865,134.97.
27 South Africa 2010 legends exhibition match: R6,706,925.00,
Suites: R3,361,845.18.
Spectator Match tickets: R3,011,465.00.
Programme activities linked to fan engagement [including costs of 30 artists and cultural participants]: R10 000 000.00.
THE FULL EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN BELOW
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