SAFA says Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses delayed by US and Mexico tax checks

The South African Football Association (SAFA) says outstanding bonuses owed to Bafana Bafana players and support staff from the 2026 FIFA World Cup are being held up by international tax compliance requirements in the United States and Mexico.

The association issued a statement on Monday afternoon after reports that tensions were growing in the national team camp ahead of their next assignment.

Sunday World reported that Bafana players were considering a go-slow in protest at unpaid World Cup bonuses. The report claimed the squad had become increasingly frustrated after promised multi-million-rand payments had not been distributed six weeks after FIFA paid out funds connected to the tournament.

SAFA denied that players’ regular payments were outstanding, confirming that all daily allowances, fees and standard amounts due to players and support staff had been settled.

The association said only the bonuses linked specifically to the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain unpaid. Those payments, it added, will be processed once the relevant tax requirements have been completed.

“SAFA confirms that a portion of the FWC26 prize money has been received. All allowances, fees and other amounts due to players and support staff have been settled. The outstanding payments relate specifically to FWC26 bonuses, which will be processed once the applicable tax requirements have been concluded. SAFA is committed to finalising the process as expeditiously as possible and ensuring that all legitimate bonuses are paid,” SAFA’s statement reads.

SAFA said the delay was caused by outstanding international tax compliance obligations in the United States and Mexico, where matches were played during the World Cup.

As a result, the association is required to comply with federal and state tax laws in the United States, as well as Mexican tax legislation. SAFA said it had appointed specialist legal and tax advisers in both countries in line with FIFA’s guidance because of the complexity of the process.

The association said “significant progress” had been made. That includes obtaining an Employer Identification Number from the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Its US advisers are completing the relevant tax calculations and documentation, while arrangements to settle the applicable Mexican tax obligations are also being finalised.

SAFA said it remained committed to completing the process as quickly as possible and paying all legitimate bonuses.

The association also criticised what it described as a practice by some media organisations of submitting last-minute requests for comment with unrealistic deadlines. SAFA said those time limits did not always allow it to consult properly or provide a considered response, particularly on complex financial and tax matters.

While acknowledging the media’s role and insisting it remained committed to transparency, SAFA called for fair and responsible reporting. It said publishing allegations or incomplete information without providing enough time for a response could mislead the public and unfairly damage the association’s reputation.

Bafana now turn their attention to a new era under newly appointed head coach Pitso Mosimane, who will take charge as they begin their 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

South Africa will open their qualification campaign at home against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September 2026, before travelling to face Eritrea four days later.

Mosimane, the former Al Ahly tactician, has already named a 35-man preliminary squad for the double-header. The group retains the core of the national team while also including several new faces as he begins reshaping Bafana Bafana.