Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – and they will be paid handsomely as a result.
South Africa were on Tuesday evening became one of the latest countries to book their spot at next year’s global showpiece.
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Let’s take a look at how much Bafana Bafana will be taking home after this incredible feat.
BAFANA BAFANA BONUSES: MEGA-MONEY MILLIONS
South Africa booked their ticket to the joint United States-Mexico-Canada-hosted tournament after topping Group C.
Bafana defeated Rwanda 3-0 in their final match to top the group after Nigeria destroyed Benin 4-0, thus ensuring their automatic qualification.
Bafana Bafana will reportedly be given over R8 million from SAFA for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
SA SET TO MAKE EVEN MORE AFTER HISTORIC FEAT
Meanwhile, FIFA has promised more than double the prize pool of offer despite increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 for next year’s event.
At the most recent World Cup in Qatar in 2022, a total prize fund of $440 million was on offer.
However, for next year’s tournament, FIFA has committed an eye-watering $896 million.
In Qatar, the 16 teams that were eliminated in the group phase each took home $9 million (R156 million at today’s exchange rate).
If one doubles that – in line with the overall prize fund increase – that’s a cool $18 million (R312 million) for the 16 nations knocked out in the group stage next year.
First hurdle
That means Bafana Bafana’s squad will split the R8 million from SAFA plus their share of a minimum of around R312 million – if they fall at the first hurdle.
It could of course be even more depending on the dollar-rand exchange rate at the time – as well as how far South Africa progress at the tournament.
This is the first time Bafana Bafana have qualified for a FIFA World Cup in 24 years.
The last time South Africa qualified by right was back in 2002 in Japan-South Korea.
Memorably, South Africa hosted the 2010 edition, but were eliminated in the group stage.
