Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has defended the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's (DSAC) expenditure of approximately R31 million on South Africa's FIFA World Cup 2026 engagement, rejecting allegations of wastefulness or impropriety.

In a detailed parliamentary reply, McKenzie stated that the spending was transparent and aligned with the department's mandate to promote South Africa through sport, arts, and culture.

The R31 million allocation covered various aspects of the World Cup preparations, including travel for 151 participants to Mexico and the United States, hospitality venues in Atlanta and Monterrey, match tickets for officials, and exhibition spaces in key cities.Private sector partners such as Brand South Africa, Coca-Cola, and Betway contributed to some costs, reducing the financial burden on the state.McKenzie emphasized that all expenditures were approved through formal processes and remained subject to financial regulations.He also addressed claims of personal benefit, stating his own travel costs amounted to R1,058,379.75 over five weeks, with no state funds used for family travel.

The minister accused opposition parties of misrepresenting lawful government spending as a scandal and confirmed that a consolidated close-out report would be tabled once finalised.