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South Africa’s SAFA will appeal FIFA’s three-point deduction in the World Cup qualifiers.
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The sanction overturned a 2–0 win after fielding an ineligible player.
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The association called it “unprecedented” and faces pressure to qualify.
South Africa’s Football Association (SAFA) has rejected FIFA’s decision to dock three points from its 2026 World Cup qualifying total and says it will appeal.
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SAFA says FIFA made the ruling without explanation and never gave the association a chance to present its legal case.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found that South Africa used an ineligible player in the March match against Lesotho.
FIFA overturned the 2–0 result, awarded Lesotho a 3–0 forfeit and removed three points from the South African tally, a move that also affected goal difference.
In an official statement, SAFA called the outcome “unprecedented,” and said a single-member panel issued the ruling without reasons or an opportunity for oral argument.
The statement read in part:
“As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the Association an opportunity to present legal arguments.”
The points loss reshapes the group and puts South Africa under greater pressure in the remaining fixtures.
SAFA plans to request written reasons and to file a formal appeal within FIFA’s deadline; if that fails, the case could move to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
For now, officials and fans await further detail as the appeal proceeds.
