The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed sanctions on the South African Football Association (SAFA) after it was found guilty of fielding an ineligible player during the 2026 FIFA World Cup preliminary competition.
In a statement on Monday, FIFA confirmed that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to play in South Africa’s fixture against Lesotho on March 21, 2025. The act was deemed 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, the global football body has declared the match forfeited in favor of Lesotho, awarding them a 3-0 victory. In addition, SAFA has been fined CHF 10,000, while Mokoena received an official warning.
The decision represents a major setback for Bafana Bafana’s qualification campaign, as they now lose valuable points in the race for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
