A new affordability analysis has revealed that South Africans need roughly 1.3 days of work to afford an official Bafana Bafana World Cup jersey, which retails at about R1,599.The findings form part of the World Cup Shirt Index 2026 compiled by Gambling.com, which compares the cost of national team kits across all 48 qualified countries against average monthly wages.

The report shows significant global inequality in affordability, with Swiss supporters able to earn enough for a shirt in just over two hours, while fans in the Democratic Republic of Congo require nearly a month of work to purchase the same type of jersey.

South Africa sits in the middle of the global ranking, but the study highlights growing pressure on local consumers as real wages continue to decline and inflation erodes purchasing power.The article notes that the average net salary in South Africa has dropped to around R21,228, with inflation-adjusted earnings falling by 2.7% year-on-year, marking the lowest real salary level in two years.

At the same time, replica football shirts have become increasingly expensive since the 2022 World Cup, with Nike, Adidas, and Puma all reporting price increases ranging from around 16% to 25% across their global ranges.Despite the rising costs, manufacturers are attempting to improve accessibility through options such as Buy Now, Pay Later schemes.

Retailers are also offering cheaper alternatives, including Mr Price selling a nostalgic 1996 Bafana Bafana replica jersey for around R299, and online platforms like Temu listing football-inspired apparel for as little as R240.

The Reserve Bank has also warned of continued economic strain, citing weak disposable incomes, higher inflation forecasts, and possible interest rate pressures ahead.

Overall, the report paints a picture of growing affordability challenges for sports fans, even as demand for national team merchandise remains strong.