Minister McKenzie sending lucky football fans to 2026 FIFA World Cup

It’s the first time the department is introducing an open competition and a plan to send fans to the World Cup and move away from the controversial super-fan culture. McKenzie was recently involved in an exchange on social media with popular football fan Mama Joy, who has previously benefited from these government-sponsored trips. 

But today, he revealed this new plan...

"This word of super fan is very insulting. We are launching the lucky fan programme, and we are taking one lucky fan from every PSL team to the FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Their flights, accommodation, ground transport and daily allowance will be fully sponsored by two big companies. This department will assist with VISA validation and match ticket allocation.

"So we're going to take sixteen lucky fans to the Mexico game and everything will be paid for by the sponsors, and the selection of those lucky fans will be determined by a panel of judges."

The entry for these fans will be very simple, with the fans expected to submit a short video explaining why they deserve to go to the World Cup, as McKenzie explains...

"The entry will be simple. You submit a thirty second clip  wearing your regalia - explaining why you are the biggest supporter of your club . The rules of the competition will be made public, and the judges will decide."

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 Meanwhile, McKenzie has also revealed that the department has secured an international friendly for Bafana Bafana legends from the 2010 World Cup squad to face their Mexican counterparts in Pachuca, Mexico, on the 8th of June, in a game reminiscent of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup.

Mckenzie revealed that this team will be coached by former Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund, and they are selecting a squad of 20 players from that team, who will head to Mexico for this legendary game and also watch Bafana matches during the World Cup.