…South Africa Still Look Good To Qualify
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player during a FIFA World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition match against Lesotho on 21 March 2025.Football kits
The ruling, issued today, found that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to participate in the fixture, constituting a violation of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As a result, FIFA has declared the match forfeited by South Africa, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory. In addition, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000 (Swiss Francs), and Mokoena has received an official warning.
The decision could have significant implications for South Africa’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the forfeited points potentially impacting the team’s position in the standings.
FIFA confirmed that all parties involved were notified of the disciplinary decision today. According to the FDC, SAFA has ten days to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would be published on legal.fifa.com. The ruling is also subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
As things stand now, Benin Republic tops the group with 14 points plus 4 goal difference, South Africa drops to second with 14 points but lesser goal difference of plus 3, Nigeria is in Third with 11 points with plus 2 goal difference same as Rwanda, but the latter occupies the 4th position due to lesser goal difference.
The beneficiary of the FIFA sanctions, Lesotho is 5th but now has 9 points with minus 3 goals difference, while Zimbabwe brings the rear with 4points with minus 6 goal difference.
The two remaining matches in October will determine who picks the sole group ticket while the runner-up could make it to the play off.
The two matches left do not seem to favour Benin who needs 4points like South Africa to make the mundial. Gernot Rohr tutored side have two away games against Rwanda on October 10 and Nigeria on October 13.
South Africa still has their destiny in their hands with two matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda both in South Africa,which gives them prospects of picking at least 4 points which should be enough fo qualification.
Nigeria’s best bet with finishing 2nd with a maximum of 17 points, if they win their last two games against Lesotho in South Africa and against Benin Republic in Uyo on October 13.
Can the Eagles fly high in these two remaining games?
