Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns lead FIFA World Cup payout list

Fifteen Betway Premiership clubs are expected to receive money through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns set to be the biggest beneficiaries after supplying eight players each for the FIFA World Cup and its qualifying campaign.

The two clubs are estimated to earn gross payments of about R55m apiece. Kaizer Chiefs, Sekhukhune United, Polokwane City, AmaZulu, Stellenbosch, Golden Arrows, TS Galaxy, Richards Bay, Durban City, Chippa United, Kruger United, Siwelele and Marumo Gallants are also due to receive a share.

Milford are the only top-flight club who will not benefit, after having no players involved either in the qualifiers or at the tournament itself.

FIFA has set aside USD 250m for clubs releasing players for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final competition. Payments will be made according to the number of players supplied and the time they spend with their national teams.

“USD 250 million is reserved for clubs that will release players for the FIFA World Cup 20 26 final competition, and will be distributed on a “per player, per day” basis.

“The amount from which an eligible club will be entitled to benefit will be calculated based on: I. the number of players released to the final squad of a national team that has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 20 26 final competition; and the number of days that each released player was at the final competition, starting from the day of the player’s release for the final competition and finishing on the day after the national team’s last match in the final competition.

“The minimum anticipated benefit per player, per day will be USD5000 (approx. R80 000).

“The exact per-day amounts for each eligible club will be calculated after the completion of the final competition, based on the actual participation of players.

“Only clubs with which the players concerned were registered during the relevant release period are eligible to benefit

“In principle, and subject to the provisions below, only one club will be eligible to benefit from the participation of any given player in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final competition, and no benefits will be allocated in respect of players without a club”.

Pirates and Sundowns are expected to collect most of their money from the final tournament. Kaizer Chiefs, Siwelele and Polokwane City will also benefit from that allocation after each had one player at the finals.

A larger number of PSL clubs will receive payments from the qualifying stage. Pirates, Sundowns, Chiefs, Siwelele and Polokwane City will be among the clubs earning money from both the qualifiers and the final competition.

FIFA has reserved a further USD 100m for clubs whose players took part in the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition. That fund will be distributed on a “per player, per match” basis.

For the qualifying payments, a player must have been registered with the club on the date of the relevant match. FIFA will only count players named in the starting line-up or among the maximum 12 substitutes, meaning up to 23 players per team can be considered. Players without a club are not eligible.

According to FIFA: “USD 100 million – 905 matches x 2 teams x 23 players + (10 friendly matches x 3 host countries x 23 players) = USD 2,362 per player, per match.

The qualifying allocation will also provide income for clubs whose involvement may be less obvious. Kruger United had Marcel Dandjinou registered while he represented Benin, while Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali played for Nigeria.

Washington Arubi represented Zimbabwe while registered with Marumo Gallants. Joslin Kamatuka played for Namibia during his time with Durban City, and Salim Magoola represented Uganda while contracted to Richards Bay.

Clubs must complete an online registration and validation process to claim the money. FIFA expects payments to be made through the clubs’ member associations before the end of 2026, subject to applicable tax.