SAFA Explains Delay in Bafana Bafana FIFA World Cup 2026 Bonus Payments
- Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup bonuses remain a talking point after SAFA provided a fresh update on the outstanding payments
- The latest development gives more insight into the situation surrounding the bonuses and what players and support staff can expect
- SAFA has also addressed the wider questions surrounding the payments as the association works towards resolving the matter
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SAFA has explained why Bafana Bafana players and support staff are still waiting for their FIFA World Cup 2026 bonuses, pointing to tax obligations linked to matches played in the United States and Mexico.
In an update issued on Monday, 7 September 2026, the South African Football Association said it has had to address tax requirements in both countries before releasing the outstanding bonuses.
The association brought in specialist legal and tax advisers to assist with the process.
US and Mexico tax requirements
SAFA said one step forward has been securing an Employer Identification Number from the US Internal Revenue Service.
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“The USA specialists are finalising the required tax calculations and documentation,” the association said.
It added that work on the Mexican tax obligations was also nearing completion.
SAFA confirmed that a portion of the World Cup prize money had already been received. It said players and support staff had received their allowances, fees and other amounts due to them.
The outstanding payments specifically concern the World Cup bonuses.
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SAFA says Bafana bonuses remain due
SAFA has stopped short of giving a specific date for the outstanding Bafana Bafana bonus payments, but the association has made it clear that the money has not been cancelled or withheld permanently.
The football body said the bonuses will be paid once the outstanding tax compliance work in the United States and Mexico has been completed. SAFA also stressed that other payments to the players and support staff have already been settled.
SAFA also used the statement to respond to the media coverage surrounding the issue. The association said some enquiries had been submitted with deadlines that left insufficient time to consult its advisers and provide a detailed response.
It called for “reasonable time frames” when dealing with complex financial and tax matters, while maintaining that it remains committed to transparency.
For Bafana’s players and support staff, the latest update confirms that the bonuses remain part of the amounts owed. The immediate focus is now on completing the remaining compliance process before the payments can be released.
Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses and SAFA’s prize money
Briefly News previously reported that Hugo Broos and Helman Mkhalele are among those expected to receive significant shares of SAFA’s FIFA World Cup prize money after Bafana Bafana’s campaign.
The bonus structure was expected to see Broos and Mkhalele receive a combined amount of about R32.7 million from the reported R218 million (US$13.21 million) prize, while the playing squad was allocated R65 million (US$3.94 million).
SAFA was also expected to retain half of the prize money, with more than R100 million earmarked for football development and administration.
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Source: Briefly News
