FIFA Strikes Hard, Sanctions South Africa for Fielding Ineligible Player

By Ekanem ASUQUO 

South Africa’s quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been dealt a major blow as the world football governing body has sanctioned the country for breaching player eligibility rules.

In a ruling announced on Monday, FIFA confirmed that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was wrongly fielded in Bafana Bafana’s preliminary clash against Lesotho on March 21, 2025.

The Disciplinary Committee ruled that South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations. Consequently, Lesotho has been awarded a 3–0 victory, overturning the original result on the pitch.

The punishment extends beyond the forfeiture. The South African Football Association, SAFA, has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs, while Mokoena himself has received an official warning from FIFA.

According to the statement, both SAFA and the player have been notified of the ruling and have ten days to request a detailed explanation. The decision also remains subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

The sanction reshapes the qualification landscape and serves as a stark reminder that compliance with FIFA rules is paramount for all nations on the road to the World Cup.