Julius Malema on SAFA and Bafana Bafana

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema sent a request to the South African Football Association to withdraw Bafana Bafana from participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament is set to start on the 11th of June 2026; Bafana Bafana will face Mexico in the opening match. Three countries will be hosting the tournament: the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. In the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Bafana Bafana played a 1-1 draw against Mexico at FNB Stadium. The first FIFA World Cup goal in Africa was scored by Kaizer Chiefs legend Siphiwe Tshabalala.

According to reports, the USA launched an incursion into Caracas, capturing Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro and leaving the country in a state of uncertainty. Julius Malema said, "South Africa - Bafana Bafana must officially withdraw. SAFA must take a decision to withdraw on anything to do with the World Cup that is taking place in America. When a country starts disrespecting international law which declared that apartheid is a crime against humanity, and other people still want to trade with South Africa.

"A lot of countries refused to trade with South Africa because it was violating human rights; it was violating international laws. So we must boycott the World Cup in America because we can't sit back and allow a person to destabilize the world and it becomes business as usual. That is an act of cowardice." In November last year, the EFF marched to the Constitutional Court demanding the release of the Phala Phala report. Malema told his followers that if the report is not released, they will continue to march to the Constitutional Court.