Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie says his department will not pay for superfan Joy Chauke, better known as Mama Joy, to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to run from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The row started after Mama Joy reacted on X to reports that government would not fund fans for the World Cup. McKenzie then replied that her husband should cover the cost instead of the department.

In his post, he said: “We got you a husband, my sister. Let him pay for the love of his life.”

Earlier World Cup Comments Now Raise Questions

McKenzie’s latest stance has drawn attention because it clashes with earlier remarks linked to the FIFA World Cup Trophy tour in South Africa. According to The Citizen, he had spoken about a plan for competitions that could send 50 South Africans to the World Cup on an all-expenses-paid trip.

He said people could be chosen through dance and cooking competitions, with artists, dancers and podcasters also forming part of the group. McKenzie framed the idea as a way to showcase South Africa’s energy, culture and talent on a global stage.

Government Says No Money has Been Committed

That idea later came under scrutiny in Parliament. DA MP Leah Ruth Potgieter asked how the department could justify the initiative and what it would cost taxpayers. In its written reply, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said it had made no financial commitments for any group of South African supporters to attend the 2026 World Cup.

The department said the minister’s comments were not meant to signal a return to state-funded superfan travel. Instead, it described the proposal as a possible nation-branding and cultural representation concept that would depend on outside funding and partnerships.

No Approved Competition and No Projected Costs

The department also said no competition has been approved, no procurement process has started and no projected costs exist at this stage. That means there is currently no official government-backed programme to send supporters to the World Cup.

McKenzie has previously said he stopped funding superfan trips because athletes and artists need that money more. For now, that position appears to stand, leaving Mama Joy and other hopeful supporters without state support for football’s biggest event.