SA Minister of Sports Gayton McKenzie has expressed strong support for ICE’s actions in the US, agrees with Donald Trump, and predicts a World Cup victory for Bafana Bafana despite safety concerns for South Africans attending the event. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL SA Minister of SportsGayton McKenziehas come out in firm support of the USA again, this time for the hosting of theFIFA World Cupset to take place in the country, as well as neighbouring Mexico, starting in June. There have been concerns over the safety of South Africans in the country for the World Cup, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the centre of the debate.
ICE is carrying out the order of controversial US PresidentDonald Trump, and at least four people have died in detention by the government agency in 2026 alone. The death of protesterRenee Nicole Goodin Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7, following a confrontation with ICE, made global headlines. In fact, McKenzie’s comments come just days after aSouth African national was arrestedin the United States by ICE as it was discovered he was in the country illegally.
“I totally agree with ICE. We must do the same here with what they’re doing there. I cannot criticise something that I want in my own country,” McKenzie toldSportsBoom.co.za.
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“If you want to go to the World Cup and you have a visa, what problems do you have? If you go through the proper processes of attaining a visa, you will be fine. I won’t be politically correct — viva ICE!
I agree with Donald Trump. “People who are saying that we must boycott the World Cup are suffering from cow disease. The repercussions for South Africa would be severe, and we would be banned from international football.” McKenzie continued in his state of delirium when he insisted Bafana Bafana would win the World Cup, when just advancing beyond the group stage would be their best-ever performance.
“There is no country like South Africa, and I definitely think we will win the World Cup. You may look at stats and all that, but that’s not how football works. I go with my heart — we will win.”
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