Teboho Mokoena is a player of South Africa whose case caused his country this setback
South Africa’s hopes of securing early control in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign has suffered a major setback after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee confirmed sanctions against the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player.
The ruling on Monday, September 29, 2025, stems from South Africa’s match against Lesotho on March 21, 2025, in which midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured, despite being ineligible under FIFA regulations.
FIFA ruled that the appearance breached both Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the 2026 World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As a consequence, FIFA has awarded the match as a 3-0 victory to Lesotho, with South Africa losing the three points they had earned on the pitch.
The decision means South Africa now drops three points in Group C, tightening an already competitive qualifying race.
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In addition to the forfeiture, SAFA has been fined approximately $11,000, while Mokoena himself has been issued with a warning.
FIFA stressed that all parties were informed of the decision and that SAFA has ten days to request a detailed, motivated judgment, which could be appealed before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
For Coach Hugo Broos and his side, the ruling is a bitter blow. South Africa had been building momentum, but the deduction not only dents their points tally but also shifts the pressure onto their remaining fixtures.
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