Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses delayed by US and Mexico tax rules

South Africa’s football association has delayed bonus payments to Bafana Bafana players and support staff because it is still completing tax requirements in the United States and Mexico.

Bafana Bafana made history at the 2026 Fifa World Cup by reaching the last 32 at the tournament, which was co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada in June and July.

The bonuses were part of a total R218m package to be shared between the SA Football Association (Safa), the players, the coaching team and support staff.

Safa said it could not complete the payments until it had met the relevant tax obligations in the two countries where World Cup matches were played.

“As matches were played in both countries, Safa is required to comply with the applicable federal and state tax laws in the US, as well as Mexican tax legislation,” the association said in a statement.

It added that work to satisfy those requirements was continuing, with specialist advisers appointed in both jurisdictions following guidance from Fifa.

“Given the complexity of these requirements, Safa, in line with Fifa’s guidance, appointed specialist legal and tax advisers in both jurisdictions.”

Safa said it had already made substantial progress on the US process, including securing an employer identification number from the US Internal Revenue Service.

“Significant progress has been made, including Safa obtaining a US Internal Revenue Service employer identification number.”

The tax calculations and supporting documents required in the US are now being completed, while arrangements to settle the applicable Mexican tax obligations are also close to being finalised.

“The US specialists are finalising the required tax calculations and documentation, while the process for settling the applicable Mexican tax obligations is also being finalised.”

The association stressed that the delay affects only the World Cup bonuses. It confirmed that part of the tournament’s prize money had been received and that every allowance, fee and other payment owed to players and support staff had already 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 did not give a date for when the bonuses would be transferred, but said it was working to complete the process as quickly as possible.

The 2026 World Cup campaign represented a significant achievement for Bafana Bafana, who progressed to the last 32 during the competition staged across the US, Mexico and Canada. The payment issue therefore concerns the distribution of the agreed rewards for that campaign rather than any unpaid regular fees or allowances.

The report was published by TimesLIVE.