Bafana Bafana players could reportedly earn a payout of around R2 million each after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hugo Broos‘ side booked their place at football’s biggest tournament and will kick off their campaign against co-hosts Mexico on Thursday in the opening match of the competition.
For qualifying for the World Cup, the South African Football Association (SAFA) is set to receive $9 million (approximately R150 million) from FIFA, along with an additional $1.5 million (around R25 million) earmarked for tournament preparations.
According to reports, an agreement between SAFA and the players guarantees a minimum payout of R2 million per player for participating in the group stage.
Bafana eyeing big prize at World Cup
Should Bafana Bafana progress to the Round of 16, the team would unlock a further financial windfall, with FIFA prize money increasing to roughly R180 million.
The rewards become even greater deeper into the tournament. Reports suggest the players could collectively share as much as R365 million in bonuses, with individual earnings potentially reaching R14 million if South Africa were to achieve the unthinkable and lift the World Cup trophy.
“This is an agreement between SAFA and the players following our meeting. It is not an agreement between FIFA and the players. Coach Hugo Broos and his assistant Helman Mkhalele have their own separate contracts with SAFA,” a source told KickOff.
Attention now shifts to Bafana Bafana’s opening World Cup fixture against Mexico. The hosts enter the tournament in impressive form, having won six of their last eight matches while maintaining a formidable record on home soil.
South Africa have prepared for the World Cup with warm-up matches against Panama, Nicaragua and Jamaica, giving Broos valuable opportunities to fine-tune his squad ahead of the country’s biggest football challenge in years.
A place in the knockout stages would not only represent a historic achievement for Bafana Bafana but would also deliver a significant financial boost for both the players and SAFA.
Bafana are yet to reach a World Cup knockout round in their history.