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South Africa forfeit World Cup qualifier after FIFA ruled Teboho Mokoena ineligible.
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The decision cancelled their win against Lesotho.
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FIFA officially recorded it as a defeat.
South Africa forfeit World Cup qualifier after FIFA ruled midfielder Teboho Mokoena ineligible for the March 21 match against Lesotho, and FIFA awarded Lesotho a 3-0 win.
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According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, SAFA violated both Article 14 of the World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations and Article 19 of the Disciplinary Code.
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Consequently, FIFA overturned South Africa’s 2-0 Polokwane victory, fined SAFA CHF 10,000 and issued Mokoena an official warning.
FIFA communicated the decision on Monday. SAFA now has 10 days to ask for a thorough, well-reasoned ruling, and they can also appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee.
In short, the federation faces both financial and competitive consequences.
FIFA’s panel stood firm that Mokoena had first shown a yellow card against Benin before he received another against Zimbabwe (making 2 yellow cards), so he should not have played against Lesotho.
By selecting him, SAFA broke the competition rules; therefore FIFA removed three goals from South Africa’s tally and altered the Group C table.
As a result, Bafana Bafana dropped from first to second in Group C, with Benin moving ahead on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Lesotho moved up after FIFA awarded the forfeit win.
Ultimately, this outcome also boosts Super Eagles’ qualification hopes, since the group standings reshuffled.
Meanwhile, fans and officials reacted quickly following the outcome of FIFA.
Some criticised at the lapse sharply, while others urged SAFA to tighten its checks on suspensions and cards.
Going forward, SAFA must bolster internal controls and track player eligibility very well to avoid similar situations.
Lesotho ultimately benefited from a positive outcome, whereas Bafana Bafana lost money and points due to an avoidable administrative error.
In the meantime, the ruling stands unless SAFA successfully appeals.
