Pirates and Sundowns’ World Cup payout rises thanks to Bafana’s heroics

South African football giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are on track to receive a massive financial payout exceeding a combined R100 million, thanks to their players’ participation in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Both PSL powerhouses have contributed significantly to the final Bafana Bafana squad, each sending eight players to the global tournament. This strong representation puts the two clubs on par with Egyptian giants Al Ahly as the African teams with the most players at the World Cup.

The substantial earnings will come from the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, a $355 million (approximately R5.8 billion) fund established to compensate clubs for releasing their players for national team duties.

According to FIFA regulations, the compensation period started on May 25, meaning the clubs are already accumulating payments. The programme is expected to pay out an estimated R200,000 per player for each day they are involved with their national team.

Significant payout for Pirates and Sundowns

Bafana Bafana were guaranteed to compete until at least their final group stage match on June 25, each player being with the squad for a minimum of 32 days. This duration generated at least R6.4 million per player for their respective clubs.

For both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, this translates to a guaranteed minimum of R51.2 million each, bringing their combined total to an impressive R102.4 million for group stage participation.

However, Bafana Bafana’s run to the Round of 32 will earn the clubs much more as they will be in camp for more than the 32 days initially planned for group stage participation.

South Africa play Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday and if their tournament ends at that level, they would have spent at least five extra days, increasing their payout by a further $50,000 (R82,3047) or $60,000 (R987,656) per player assuming each is generating between $10,000 (R164,609) and $12,000 (R197,531) per day for their club as it has been reported.  

Bafana Bafana also guaranteed more from FIFA

The FIFA programme also stipulates that clubs where players were registered during the two years leading up to the tournament are eligible for a portion of the compensation, provided they are registered on FIFA’s digital platform.

Under FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, all players selected for a national team squad receive an identical benefit payment, regardless of how many minutes they play during the tournament.

Beyond the payments distributed to clubs, the South African national team, Bafana Bafana, has already received significant funding. This includes $2.5 million (approximately R41 million) for tournament preparations and a further $9 million (around R148 million) from FIFA for successfully qualifying. With the run to the knockout round, that will increase to $11 million (R181 million).