FIFA penalizes South Africa with three-point deduction for fielding ineligible player in World Cup qualifier

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has dealt a huge blow to South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign after sanctioning the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in the qualifier against Lesotho on 21 March 2025, a match that South Africa won on the pitch, but FIFA has now ruled the result a 3-0 forfeit in favour of Lesotho.

According to FIFA, SAFA breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the Preliminary Competition Regulations, leading to the disciplinary action.

In addition to losing the three points, SAFA has been slapped with a fine of CHF 10,000, while Mokoena himself has received an official warning.

The decision dramatically reshapes Group C of the African qualifiers. Benin now lead with 14 points and a superior goal difference (+4), while South Africa drops to second on 14 points (+3). Nigeria (11 points), Rwanda (11 points), and Lesotho (9 points) all remain firmly in contention for qualification, with just a few matches left to play.

SAFA has been informed of the ruling and retains the right to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. However, the forfeiture stands unless overturned.

This ruling could prove decisive in one of the tightest groups of the African qualifiers as the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico intensifies.

Below is the full ruling:

Source:Ghanasoccernet