The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition match against Lesotho on 21 March 2025.
The Committee ruled that SAFA breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC), which states:
“A team which fields an ineligible player in an official match shall be sanctioned by forfeiting the match (awarded with a 3-0 scoreline unless the actual result is less favourable to the team at fault) and may face further disciplinary measures.”
The ruling also cited Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations, which stipulates:
“Only players who are eligible to play for representative teams in accordance with the FIFA
Statutes may take part in the preliminary competition. Any breach of this provision shall result in disciplinary measures in compliance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code.”
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As a result, the match has been declared forfeited by South Africa, with Lesotho awarded a 3-0 victory.
Benin Republic is now officially the leader of Group C, leading the deducted South Africa on a +1 goal difference.
In addition, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena has received a formal warning.
The parties have been notified of the decision and have ten days to request a motivated ruling.
Meanwhile, the forfeiture remains subject to potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
