Open lottery of South Africa team. (Photo- GETTY)
South Africa, FIFA World Cup 2026: A very surprising and interesting news has come out from outside the field amidst the group stage matches of FIFA World Cup 2026. After drawing the match 1-1 against Czech Republic (Czechia) in Group A of the tournament, the players and staff of South African football team have been showered heavily with money and gifts. Pleased with this fighting performance of the team, the Football Association has rewarded the players with very expensive and valuable gifts.
South Africa team’s open lottery
This match was played between South Africa and Czech Republic on 18 June. According to media reports, when the South African players reached the dressing room as soon as the match against Czech Republic was drawn, the scene there was worth seeing. The players and support staff were gifted luxury jewelery and very expensive watches as a bonus for their excellent performance.
According to reports, the individual value of these luxurious gifts given to the players is US $ 50,000 (about more than Rs 47 lakh). Usually, football boards around the world give big bonuses to players for winning tournaments or reaching the knockouts, but this surprising reward given to South African players for drawing just one match is being discussed in the entire sports world.
Scored a World Cup goal after 16 years
The most memorable and historic moment for South Africa in this match came when their star player Tehobo Mokoena put the ball straight into the goal post. This goal of Mokoena was a very emotional moment for South African football, because with this he made the record of scoring the first goal for South Africa after 16 years in the history of the World Cup. Earlier, South Africa had scored a goal in the World Cup hosted by them in the year 2010, after which the team was yearning to score a goal on this big stage.
The team remains in the race for knockout
This match against Czech Republic was important for South Africa after losing 2-0 to Mexico in its first match of the tournament. With 1 point from this match, South Africa is still alive in the race for the knockout stage in the points table of Group A. Now the South African team will have to win against South Korea at any cost in its last group match to reach the next round.
