World football governing body, FIFA, has imposed sanctions on the South African Football Association (SAFA) after midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho despite being ineligible.
In its ruling, FIFA announced that South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho has been forfeited, with Lesotho awarded a 3-0 victory and three points. The disciplinary body also fined SAFA 10,000 Swiss Francs and issued a formal warning to Mokoena.
The decision has reshaped the dynamics of Group C, where qualification remains highly competitive.
The updated standings place Benin at the top with 14 points, level with South Africa, but ahead on superior advantage. Nigeria and Rwanda follow with 11 points each, while Lesotho moves to 9 points. Zimbabwe remains bottom with 4 points.
FIFA’s statement reads:
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 M Preliminary Competition Regulations.”
“Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0. SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.
“The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.”
