Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad is set to become instant millionaires when they return home following South Africa’s impressive campaign at the global showpiece.
South Africa’s journey came to an end in the Round of 32 after a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada on Saturday, June 27. Despite the narrow loss, the team won the admiration of football fans with their spirited performances throughout the tournament.
The 26-man squad and technical team are expected to share more than R40 million in performance bonuses, representing between 23% and 30% of the approximately R222 million awarded to South Africa for participating in the tournament. The bonus structure is in line with the agreement between the players and the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Each member of the playing squad is expected to receive a payout of more than R2 million, providing a life-changing financial reward for their memorable World Cup campaign.
Playing in their first FIFA World Cup after qualifying through the qualification process in more than two decades, Bafana Bafana exceeded expectations. They finished second in their group with four points, recording one win, one draw and one defeat to secure a place in the knockout stage.
Although their tournament ended in the Round of 32, the team earned widespread praise for competing fearlessly against some of the world’s strongest nations and restoring pride in South African football.
The tournament also marked the end of an era, with veteran Belgian coach bringing the curtain down on his successful spell in charge of Bafana Bafana. Since taking over five years ago, Broos transformed the national team into one of Africa’s most competitive sides, guiding them back onto the world stage after a lengthy absence.
Attention will now turn to finding Broos’ successor as South Africa begins preparations for next year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by , and from June 19 to July 18.
The national team is expected to arrive back in South Africa on Thursday, July 2, where they are likely to receive a warm welcome from supporters celebrating a campaign that has rekindled belief in the future of Bafana Bafana.