Bafana Bafana players still waiting for 2026 World Cup bonuses

Bafana Bafana players and members of the technical staff have yet to receive their bonuses for South Africa’s historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, despite SAFA having received its tournament money six weeks ago.

An insider has told KickOff that the players and staff were expected to be paid by the end of August. The delay follows Bafana Bafana’s run to the knockout stages of the World Cup, a landmark achievement for South African football.

Each player included in the 26-man squad is due an individual bonus of R2.5 million. The total payment forms part of the R65 million set aside for the players and technical staff under an agreement reached before the tournament.

SAFA received R259 million from FIFA, including the country’s participation fee and performance-related payments connected to reaching the knockout stages of the global showpiece. Approximately 30% of that amount was allocated to the squad and coaching staff.

Former Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is reportedly due R21.8 million. His assistant, Helman Mkhalele, is expected to receive R8 million, while the remainder of the technical staff will share a 2% pool.

“Players and staff have still not received their bonuses from the 2026 World Cup. SAFA got their money six weeks ago. They said they would pay before [the] end of August,” said a source.

The outstanding payments have emerged after Bafana Bafana secured their place in the World Cup knockout stages, marking a significant moment in the national team’s history.

Sports, Arts and Recreation Minister Gayton McKenzie has also promised an additional R5 million for the squad. That money is separate from the bonuses linked to SAFA’s FIFA allocation and is due to be shared among the players.

SAFA did not respond to a KickOff query about when the outstanding payments would be made. The governing body has, however, issued a statement acknowledging the delay and saying it is working to complete the process.

“SAFA is committed to finalising the process as expeditiously as possible and ensuring that all legitimate bonuses are paid,” reads the statement, in part.

The bonuses were agreed before the tournament and are tied to the financial rewards generated by Bafana Bafana’s participation and progress in the competition. The players’ individual payments, the amounts due to the coaching staff and the additional contribution promised by McKenzie all remain part of the wider reward package for the World Cup campaign.

For now, the squad and staff are still waiting for SAFA to fulfil its commitment, with no confirmed payment date publicly announced.