FIFA Hits South Africa with Heavy Sanctions, Docked Three Points in World Cup Qualifiers

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has come down hard on the South African Football Association (SAFA) after Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against Lesotho on March 21, 2025.

FIFA ruled that SAFA’s decision to use Mokoena contravened Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as well as Article 14 of the Preliminary Competition Regulations. Consequently, the fixture has been awarded to Lesotho as a 3-0 walkover, overturning South Africa’s original 2-0 victory.

Alongside the points deduction, SAFA have been fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena has been handed an official 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.

The ruling, communicated today, allows SAFA ten days to request the full written decision, The sanction can still be appealed before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

The punishment significantly alters the Group C standings. Before the ruling, Hugo Broos’ men topped the table with 17 points from eight matches, holding a three-point advantage over Benin. But with the forfeit converting their win into a 3-0 defeat, the Squirrels of Benin have leapfrogged South Africa to seize control of the group.

With a ten (10) days period to request a motivated decision, Benin become the favourites in the group standings.