The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa versus 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.

According to a statement released by FIFA on Monday, midfielder Teboho Mokoena was deemed ineligible to participate in the fixture.

The ruling could have significant implications for South Africa’s World Cup qualifying campaign, as the forfeiture alters the group standings and potentially impacts the team’s progression prospects.

If this is upheld, South Africa who had 17 points will have 14, same points with Benin Republic while Nigeria and Rwanda have 11 points each. With two games coming up in October, the group’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will have to end before any team can claim the sole ticket.

Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Lesotho and Nigeria, earlier scheduled for the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, has been moved to Polokwane Stadium in South Africa.

The change follows concerns raised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the poor state of the Free State Stadium pitch, which drew heavy criticism during the Super Eagles’ clash with Bafana Bafana earlier in the campaign.

The fixture is slated for October 9, Nigeria’s final away game in the qualifiers, before they return to Uyo to host Benin Republic three days later.

The Super Eagles must secure victories against both Lesotho and Benin Republic in these decisive matches to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup alive.