The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been sanctioned by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition match against Lesotho on 21 March 2025.
The breach of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code and competition regulations has resulted in a severe penalty: South Africa has been deemed to have forfeited the match, with a score of 3-0 awarded to Lesotho.
The decision immediately impacts the standings in Group C of the African World Cup Qualifiers. With South Africa’s points total dropping, Benin has now moved to the top of the group standings on goal difference.
In addition to the match forfeiture, SAFA has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA. Player Teboho Mokoena also received a warning. SAFA has ten days to request a motivated decision, and the ruling remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
What This Means for Group C: The new ruling throws the race for World Cup qualification wide open with two matches remaining for most teams.
