FIFA confirmed on Monday that South Africa has been deducted three points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The sanction follows the fielding of ineligible player Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March. In addition to the point loss, FIFA also removed three goals from South Africa’s tally.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled that the South African Football Association (SAFA) violated article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations. Consequently, the March 21, 2025 match has been declared a forfeit, with a 3‑0 win awarded to Lesotho. SAFA must also pay a CHF 10,000 fine, and Mokoena received a warning. The decision has been communicated to the parties, who have ten days to request a motivated decision and may appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee.
The penalty reshapes the Group C standings. South Africa drops to second place behind Benin Republic, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles move into a stronger position to challenge for the top spot. The final round of qualifiers promises intense competition, with the top four teams still vying for a place in the 2026 World Cup in North America. South Africa’s remaining fixtures are against Zimbabwe and Rwanda; Benin will face Rwanda and Nigeria; and the Super Eagles will play Lesotho and Benin in October, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the campaign.
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