WCQ: FIFA Deducts Three Points From S’Africa For Fielding Ineligible Player

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary match against Lesotho played on 21 March 2025.

In a statement released on Monday, FIFA confirmed that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations by featuring the player, who was not eligible for selection.

As a result, FIFA has awarded the match to Lesotho with a 3–0 scoreline, overturning the original result.

In addition to the forfeiture, SAFA has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000, while Teboho Mokoena has received an official warning from the world football governing body.

According to FIFA, the parties involved have been notified of the decision and have ten days to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, will be published on its website.

The ruling, however, remains subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee, in line with the relevant provisions of the Disciplinary Code.

South Africa fielded Teboho Mokoena for the game in Polokwane when the midfielder should have served a one-game ban for getting yellow cards in two previous qualifying games.

If the decision is upheld, South Africa’s points tally in Group C will drop from 17 to 14, the same points as second-placed Benin Republic, leaving their qualification hopes hanging in the balance.

The ruling has boosted Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, as the Super Eagles and Rwanda are three points behind South Africa with two games to go in October.

Lesotho now has nine points from eight matches.