South Africa’s qualification campaign for the 2026 Fifa World Cup has suffered a major setback after the country’s football federation was sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player.
The incident involves Teboho Mokoena, who featured in Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March despite being due to serve a suspension. The 28-year-old midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches, automatically ruling him out of the fixture.
Following a review, Fifa’s disciplinary committee determined that South Africa had breached competition rules by allowing Mokoena to play. As a result, the governing body has imposed a 3-0 forfeit in favour of Lesotho, effectively overturning South Africa’s win.
In addition, the South African Football Association (Safa) has been fined 10,000 Swiss Francs ($12,500, £9,340). Mokoena himself has received an official warning.
The ruling has dramatically altered the standings in Group C of African World Cup qualifying. South Africa, who were top of the table, have now dropped to second place, level on points with Benin but behind on goal difference.
With only the group winners guaranteed a place at the World Cup in North and Central America next year, the decision has raised the stakes in the final qualifying matches.
The ruling has also breathed new life into the campaigns of Nigeria and Rwanda, both of whom are now just three points adrift of South Africa and Benin.
Benin face a tough run-in, travelling away to both Rwanda and Nigeria in their final two fixtures between 10 and 14 October. South Africa, meanwhile, must recover quickly as they prepare for an away clash with Zimbabwe, followed by a crucial home game against Rwanda.
The sanction has sparked debate about Safa’s internal administration and oversight. Questions are being raised about how such an oversight occurred at such a critical stage of World Cup qualification.
Analysts warn that the penalty could have far-reaching consequences, not only for South Africa’s chances of reaching the 2026 finals but also for the country’s football credibility on the international stage.
- Benin now lead Group C on goal difference.
- South Africa drop to second place, needing maximum points in their last two games.
- Nigeria and Rwanda remain in contention, both three points off the top.
- Zimbabwe and Lesotho have little chance of qualifying but could play the role of spoilers.
With the margins so fine, the final round of matches is expected to be fiercely contested, with fans across the continent closely watching Group C’s unfolding drama.
For South Africa, the sanction represents a costly mistake. What had looked like a strong qualification campaign now hangs in the balance, with the team needing to regroup quickly to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
As one analyst put it:
“This was an avoidable administrative error, and unfortunately it may cost South Africa their place at the World Cup.”
All eyes will now turn to the decisive fixtures in October, where South Africa must prove that one costly error will not define their road to the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
