Bafana Bafana, who take on Mexico on Thursday, are set to cash in on their participation in the 2026 Fifa World Cup, with each of the 26 players said to have been promised a hefty R2-million in bonus money just for the three group stage matches.
Sunday World has it on good authority that the South African Football Association (Safa) held a meeting with the players’ committee, led by captain Ronwen Williams, to discuss player bonuses for the World Cup upon arrival in Mexico midweek.
Safa is guaranteed a minimum of about $9-million (roughly R150-million) prize money for Bafana’s participation in the group stages against Mexico, South Korea and Czechia; plus an additional $1.5-million (about R25-million) in upfront preparation fees from Fifa.
Should Bafana qualify for the next round of the competition, the amount will leapfrog from $9-million to $11-million (R180-million). It’s understood that Safa has given assurances to the players and technical team, led by coach Hugo Broos, that they will share 30% of this amount.
A high ranking official who attended the meeting said, “Both parties agreed in unison; it was not as heated as in previous negotiations ahead of tournaments. The matter was quickly resolved, and it was agreed that the players would get 30% of whatever they would be able to achieve at the tournament,” said the high-ranking Safa official.
“It was agreed upon that the bonus fee would cascade to a higher amount should they advance to the next round [last 32]. Even if they do not win any game, there’s that prize money.”
Bafana Bafana have clashed with Safa over bonuses multiple times, most recently after the 2025 CHAN tournament when players complained of unpaid R100 000 bonuses. Earlier disputes also surfaced around Afcon and World Cup campaigns, with Safa often accused of delaying or reneging on agreed payments.
South African Football Players Union (Safpu) president and former Bafana Bafana captain, Thulani Hlatshwayo, confirmed to this publication that the players and the mother body held a successful meeting in Mexico regarding bonuses.
“As a matter of principle, Safpu maintains that players should receive no less than 30% of any prize money earned through their performances. Those who generate the success and secure rewards should receive a fair share of the benefits.”
Another insider said they believed Bafana players and the technical team could demand as much as a R6-million payout per individual had they been sterner in the negotiations.
The players are also said to be receiving a $100 (R1 656.80) daily allowance for the duration of their stay and travel with the national team.
Safpu also took the opportunity to wish coach Broos and his charges all the best at the biggest stage of football. “The players have worked hard to earn their place on this stage, and they carry the hopes and pride of millions of South Africans.
Safa had still not responded to questions at the time of going to print.
Meanwhile, Fifa confirmed that their Club Benefits Programme money has increased by 70% from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is now worth $355-million (approximately R5.8-billion). The money is also set to cover clubs whose players featured in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Local clubs in the Premier Soccer League that are set to cash in for having more players on national team duty at the World Cup are recently crowned CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns and the new PSL champions Orlando Pirates.
Both teams will be guaranteed $145 000 (approximately R2.4-million), per player, as they both have eight players representing them, which amounts to around R19.2-million in total.
Kaizer Chiefs will only receive R2.4-million as it only has one player, defender Bradley Cross, in the Bafana setup.
- South Africa's national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, will face Mexico this Thursday.
- Each of the 26 players has been promised a R2-million bonus.
- The bonus is linked to their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage.
- The incentive covers just the three group stage matches.
- Full details of the story are available in the Sunday World e-edition.
Bafana Bafana, who take on Mexico on
Safa is guaranteed a minimum of about $9-million (roughly R150-million) prize money for Bafana’s participation in the group stages against Mexico,
A high ranking official who attended the meeting said, “
“It was agreed upon that the bonus fee would cascade to a higher amount should they advance to the next round [last 32]. Even if they do not win any game, there’s that prize money.”
Bafana Bafana have clashed with Safa over bonuses multiple times, most recently after the 2025 CHAN tournament when players complained of unpaid R100 000 bonuses. Earlier disputes also surfaced around Afcon and World Cup campaigns, with Safa often accused of delaying or reneging on agreed payments.
“As a matter of principle, Safpu maintains that players should receive no less than 30% of any prize money earned through their performances.
Safpu also took the opportunity to wish coach Broos and his charges all the best at the biggest stage of football. “
Safa had still not responded to questions at the time of going to print.
Meanwhile, Fifa confirmed that their Club Benefits Programme money has increased by 70% from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and is now worth $355-million (approximately R5.8-billion).
Local clubs in the Premier Soccer League that are set to cash in for having more players on national team duty at the World Cup are recently crowned CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi
Kaizer Chiefs will only receive R2.4-million as it only has one player, defender
