2026 WCQ: FIFA sanctions South Africa, deducts three points over ineligible player

By Emmanuel Okogba

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 qualifier betwixt South Africa and Lesotho connected March 21, 2025.

According to FIFA, SAFA’s enactment breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations. As a result, the lucifer has been forfeited successful favour of Lesotho, with a 3-0 scoreline awarded.

In addition, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000, portion Mokoena himself has received an authoritative warning.

The determination was formally communicated to the parties today. Under FIFA rules, they person 10 days to petition a detailed, motivated decision, which would subsequently beryllium published connected legal.fifa.com. The ruling remains taxable to entreaty earlier the FIFA Appeal Committee.

Hugo Broos’ men presently beryllium astatine the apical of their World Cup qualification Group C, having collected 17 points from 8 games.

Bafana had a three-point spread to second-placed Benin, but person present been overtaken by the Squirrels aft their 2-0 triumph against Lesotho was written disconnected and resulted arsenic 0-3 owed to the administrative error.

The station 2026 WCQ: FIFA sanctions South Africa, deducts 3 points implicit ineligible player appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.