Bafana got R1.5m each for the World Cup. Staff got R243,000
Bafana Bafana players reportedly got about R1.5 million each after tax in 2026 World Cup prize money, staff about R243,000, and the minister's R5 million pledge is still unpaid.
Bafana Bafana players have been paid their 2026 World Cup prize money by SAFA, about a month ago, according to a team insider quoted by KickOff and Goal. Players reportedly took home around R1.5 million each after tax, while each member of the technical staff got about R243,000.
The figures come from an unnamed source and have not been officially confirmed by SAFA.
How much did each group reportedly get?
| Who | Reported payout | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Each player | About R1.5 million (after tax) | Paid |
| Each technical staff member | About R243,000 | Paid |
| Sports Minister's R5 million pledge (whole squad and staff) | R5 million to be shared | Not yet received, per the insider |
The source said the players' figure was lower than expected "due to tax, I think", and described the staff share as "peanuts", Goal reported.
What is the R5 million bonus?
During the group stage, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie told the squad in camp: "You have already won one, so that's R5 million," Goal reported. That followed the win over South Korea.
He also set out bigger bonuses for later rounds: R10 million for beating Canada and R15 million for further wins. South Africa lost 1-0 to Canada in Los Angeles in the Round of 32, so only the first R5 million came into play.
According to the insider, the R5 million was meant to be split among everyone in the travelling group, and it has not been paid yet. "We are still waiting for the Gayton McKenzie bonus he promised," the source told KickOff.
Where does World Cup prize money come from?
The payout the players have received is the FIFA-related tournament money, which goes to SAFA and is then shared out, according to Goal. The minister's pledge is a separate, government-backed incentive.
What happens next?
There is no public date for the R5 million bonus. Bafana now turn to AFCON qualifiers under new coach Pitso Mosimane, Goal reported.
FAQ
How much World Cup prize money did each Bafana player get?
About R1.5 million after tax, according to a team insider quoted by KickOff. SAFA has not officially confirmed the figure.
How much did the Bafana technical staff get?
About R243,000 each, according to the same insider.
Has the R5 million bonus from Gayton McKenzie been paid?
Not yet, according to the insider quoted by KickOff. The minister pledged it after the group-stage win over South Korea.