R6 billion on the cards! Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns set for a big payday as FIFA’s latest move changes the game

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates are among the South African teams poised to receive financial rewards through FIFA’s revamped Club Benefits Programme (CBP), thanks to their contribution of players during the recent international fixtures.

In a landmark shift, FIFA will now offer direct compensation to all clubs that release players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers or the tournament itself. Under this updated model, clubs will be financially acknowledged for their role in international football, regardless of whether their players ultimately participate in the final event. This initiative is designed to promote greater equity and inclusivity in the global football ecosystem by ensuring a more balanced distribution of resources among clubs worldwide.  

“More clubs than ever are set to benefit from the FIFA World Cup™, as FIFA gears up to implement an enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme (CBP) for the 2026 edition of its flagship men’s competition,” the official statement read on fifa.com.

“As per the renewed memorandum of understanding signed by FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) in March 2023, clubs who release players for the FIFA World Cup 26™ will benefit from USD 355 million overall.

“For the first time since its inception, the CBP distribution principles have been adjusted to now allow every club whose players directly feature either in the FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifiers or the final tournament to receive a share of the solidarity fund. 

“This new approach means that any club that releases a player for a FIFA World Cup 26 qualifier will now be directly compensated for said release, irrespective of whether the player plays at the final tournament, an additional step to increase solidarity aimed at providing a fairer and more inclusive redistribution across global club football,” the statement concluded.

The Buccaneers made a strong contribution to the Bafana Bafana squad for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, with seven players earning call-ups: Sipho Chaine, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng and Sipho Mbule, who joined the squad late as a replacement for the injured Patrick Maswanganyi.  

Masandawana also featured prominently, supplying six players including Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Zuko Mdunyelwa and Iqraam Rayners.

The meaningful shift toward recognizing the role domestic clubs play in supporting international football will have a positive impact on their growth and development. For Premier Soccer League teams, this change not only brings financial benefits but also serves as a strong incentive to nurture talent.  

As World Cup qualifiers progress, clubs will be more motivated to produce national team-caliber players, knowing their contributions are both valued and rewarded on the global stage.