South Africa’s bid for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup has suffered a major blow, after FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled that the country must forfeit three points for fielding an ineligible player during an African qualifier. The ruling overturns South Africa’s 2–0 victory against Lesotho in March, instead awarding the match to Lesotho by a 3–0 scoreline, significantly shaking up Group C of the African qualifying standings.
The controversy centers on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in the March fixture despite having received yellow cards in two previous qualifiers—against Benin in November 2023 and Zimbabwe in June 2024. According to FIFA regulations, this accumulation should have resulted in a mandatory one-match suspension. However, Mokoena started and played 82 minutes in the match before being substituted, prompting a formal complaint and subsequent investigation by FIFA’s disciplinary panel.
After opening disciplinary proceedings in early September, FIFA cited violations of Article 19 of the Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the competition regulations. The punishment handed down includes a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $12,536 USD) for the South African Football Association (SAFA) and an official warning to Mokoena. The match result has been nullified and recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favor of Lesotho, as stipulated by FIFA guidelines for such infractions.
The consequences of this administrative lapse are significant. Prior to the deduction, South Africa sat atop Group C, but now drops to second place behind Benin, who lead the group on goal difference. Nigeria and Rwanda, each with 11 points, are now only three points adrift of the top two, bringing new life into what had seemed a narrowing qualification race. Only the group winner secures direct qualification for the 2026 tournament, while second-place teams face a challenging inter-confederation playoff path.
Nigeria, which had endured a shaky qualifying campaign, finds itself unexpectedly back in contention, needing favorable results in the final two rounds next month. Meanwhile, South Africa, now under pressure, must face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in must-win fixtures. Benin, for its part, will have to secure results away to both Rwanda and Nigeria to maintain its lead.
SAFA, while acknowledging the disciplinary ruling, has expressed dissatisfaction with both the timing and handling of the decision. The association has ten days to lodge an appeal and has indicated it will do so, calling the player’s inclusion an unfortunate administrative oversight rather than a willful breach. The situation is particularly embarrassing given that Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s top football official, currently serves as a vice-president of FIFA.
This is not the first time African teams have faced sanctions over player eligibility. In past qualifiers, Nigeria and Cape Verde were also penalized under similar circumstances. South Africa’s misstep is all the more painful given that the nation has not qualified for a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010. The 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, had presented a strong opportunity—one that may now slip away due to a costly administrative error.
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