-
World Cup qualifiers have ruined campaigns across Africa.
-
FIFA sanctions for ineligible players often cost more than any defeat.
-
One mistake off the pitch can end a nation’s dream.
World Cup qualifiers can decide more than who reaches the finals — they can change histories.
ALSO READ: 2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Receive Boost as FIFA Strips S/ Africa of 3 Points
Time and again, African federations have lost points and momentum after FIFA found administrative errors or ineligible players.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
These rulings flip results, strip points and crush the dreams of players and fans who fought for a shot at the global stage.
These articles discuss eight African countries that FIFA has punished and how it influenced their campaigns:
1. Equatorial Guinea
FIFA collapsed Equatorial Guinea’s 2026 run when it found that Emilio Nsue had not completed a nationality switch.
FIFA forfeited matches, removed points and fined the federation, ending their push past the second round.
2. Sudan
Likewise, FIFA overturned Sudan’s 2014 win after the federation fielded Saif Ali while he sat suspended; the win became a 3-0 loss and the three-point deduction stopped their momentum.
3. Ethiopia
Ethiopia felt the sting in 2014 when Minyahil Teshome played while suspended.
Ethiopia led their group at the time, but the sanction nearly wrecked their campaign.
Still, they fought back and reached the playoff stage, showing how quickly fortunes turn in World Cup qualifiers.
4. Togo
Togo also saw its 2014 hopes end when Alaixys Romao’s ineligibility handed Cameroon a 3-0 victory — a ruling that wiped out Togo’s slim path forward.
5. Burkina Faso
FIFA docked Burkina Faso three points that cycle after an ineligible player appeared against Congo.
The penalty and related fines distracted the team’s push for a first World Cup.
6. Gabon
Gabon suffered the same fate in 2014 when FIFA awarded opponents a 3-0 win over an ineligible selection, removing Gabon from contention in a tough group.
7. Nigeria
FIFA penalized Nigeria in 2017 for fielding Shehu Abdullahi despite a suspension; the 1-1 result turned into a 3-0 win for Algeria.
Fortunately, Nigeria had already qualified for 2018, so the sanction did not derail them.
8. South Africa
This 2025, FIFA overturned South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho to a 3-0 loss, deducted three points and fined the federation CHF 10,000.
The ruling dropped Bafana Bafana below Benin Republic in Group C and made their road to 2026 far tougher.
In short, World Cup qualifiers test federations as much as players.
So, federations must check eligibility rules closely. Above all, mistakes off it. pitch can cost as much as losses on it.
