African teams enjoyed their most successful FIFA World Cup campaign at the 2026 tournament, both on the pitch and financially.
Morocco were knocked out in the quarter-finals after losing 2-0 to France on Thursday evening. As a result of progressing to the Last 8, they banked the most out of all 10 teams on the continent who qualified.
Let’s take a look at how much each of the African nations banked.
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MOROCCO HIGHEST-PAID AFRICAN NATION AT WORLD CUP
The Atlas Lions made it all the way to the last 8 and as result banked $19 million (R310 million).
As a reminder, every nation that qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 received $1.5 million (R24.5 million) from FIFA to cover preparation costs.
That takes Morocco’s total prize money to R334.5 million.
THE ATLAS LIONS ROARED UNTIL TAMED BY THE FRENCH
They kick-started their campaign with a 1-1 draw with five-time FIFA world champions Brazil before beating Scotland (1-0) and Haiti (4-2) to finish second in Group C and book their place in the Round of 32.
The Atlas Lions continued on their giant-killing trend from 2022 with European giants the Netherlands the latest giants to be slain. Morocco beat them 3-2 on penalties after the two sides played to a 1-1 draw after extra-time in their Round of 32 tie.
Thereafter, they defeated co-hosts Canada 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
The were eliminated by the No 1-ranked football team in the world, France.
They should hold their heads up high for making it so far and it is no shame losing to this red-hot French team.
EGYPT SECOND HIGHEST-PAID AFRICAN TEAM
Meanwhile, Egypt made it into the Round of 16, but after conceding a two-goal lead in the dying stages of the match, they were eliminated 3-2 by Argentina.
However, they still made $15 million (R244 million) for reaching the Round of 32 – and a total of $16.5 million which equates to approximately R269 million when preparation costs are factored in.
BAFANA BAFANA AND SIX AFRICAN NATIONS TAKE HOME OVER R200 MILLION
Bafana Bafana, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Senegal, Algeria, Ghana and Cape Verde all went home in the Round of 32.
As a result, each nation received $11 million, taking their grand total earnings to $12.5 million (R204 million).
For Bafana Bafana, the achievement was historic.
Hugo Broos’ side became the first South African team to progress beyond the group stage at a FIFA World Cup before narrowly losing to co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32.
TUNISIA UNDERWHELM, BUT STILL MAKE GOOD MONEY
Tunisia were the only African side to exit in the group stage.
Consequently, they finished the tournament as the ‘lowest-paid’ African nation.
They earned $10.5 million (around R171 million).
DID YOU THINK AFRICA WOULD DO THIS WELL AT FIFA WORLD CUP 2026?
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