In a dramatic twist to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, FIFA has slapped South Africa with a three-point deduction over an ineligible player, handing the Super Eagles of Nigeria a vital lifeline in the battle for automatic qualification from Group C.
The decision, announced on September 29, 2025, came after Bafana Bafana of South Africa fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March, 2025.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, in a statement, ruled that Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards in prior matches, was ineligible under Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup Preliminary Regulations.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) must now forfeit the points from their 2-0 victory, effectively awarding Lesotho a 3-0 win and reshaping the standings.
In addition, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena himself has received an official warning.
After FIFA slapped South Africa with a three-point deduction over an ineligible player, the team dropped from the top spot to the second position and opening the group to a fierce battle for automatic qualification.
The 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™ 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.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that after FIFA slapped South Africa with a 3-point deduction, Nigeria, sitting third with 11 points from eight games, now trails leaders Benin Republic who has 14 points by just three points, with South Africa level on 14 points.
This means the Super Eagles’ upcoming clash against Benin becomes a must-win, followed by an away fixture versus Lesotho.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa, on the other hand, will play Zimbabwe (away) and Rwanda (home) in their final two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
