South Africa’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has hit a major roadblock after FIFA handed the team a disciplinary sanction for fielding a suspended player during a crucial qualifier.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was supposed to sit out the March fixture against Lesotho due to two prior yellow cards, featured in South Africa’s 2-0 victory.
However, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has since nullified the result, awarding a 3-0 win to Lesotho by default.
As a consequence, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (around $12,500), and Mokoena has received an official warning for his part in the breach.
The ruling significantly alters the landscape of Group C in African qualifying. South Africa, who had led the group, now drop to second place behind Benin on goal difference.
Only the top team from each group earns automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
With just two rounds of fixtures remaining, the race is wide open. Nigeria and Rwanda, both now three points behind South Africa and Benin, are back in serious contention.
October’s final qualifiers will be decisive: Benin face challenging away matches against Rwanda and Nigeria, while South Africa will meet Zimbabwe on the road before concluding their campaign at home to Rwanda.
SAFA has 10 days to appeal the ruling, but unless the decision is overturned, the sanction could prove costly in South Africa’s quest to return to football’s biggest stage.
