The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary match against Lesotho played on 21 March 2025.
In a statement on Monday, FIFA confirmed that South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations by featuring the midfielder, who was due to serve a one-match suspension for accumulating two yellow cards in previous qualifiers.
As punishment, the match result has been overturned in favour of Lesotho, who have been awarded a 3–0 victory. In addition, SAFA was fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena received an official warning.
SPORTSDAILYFEEDS reports that FIFA stated that the ruling has been communicated to all parties involved, who have 10 days to request a motivated decision. The case remains subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
If upheld, South Africa’s points in Group C will be reduced from 17 to 14, leaving them level with Benin Republic and placing their qualification hopes in jeopardy. The development significantly boosts Nigeria’s chances of qualifying, as the Super Eagles and Rwanda trail South Africa by just three points with two matches remaining in October.
Lesotho now climbs to nine points from eight matches, keeping their qualification hopes mathematically alive.
