FIFA Charges South Africa for Using Ineligible Player in World Cup Qualifier
The world football governing body, FIFA, has officially opened a disciplinary case against South Africa after the country fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March, despite him being ineligible.
According to reports from SABC Sport, FIFA confirmed in a letter dated September 15, 2025, that both the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Mokoena are facing charges for breaching disciplinary regulations. The case has now been referred to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, with both SAFA and the player given six days to respond.
The issue stems from Mokoena’s previous yellow card accumulations. The 28-year-old had been booked twice earlier in the qualifying campaign — first against Benin in November 2023 and later against Zimbabwe in June 2024. Under FIFA’s rules, those bookings automatically triggered a one-match suspension, which made him unavailable for the March clash against Lesotho.
If found guilty, South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, could face serious consequences. FIFA’s disciplinary measures may include forfeiting the match, which would award Lesotho a 3–0 victory. Additional penalties such as fines or even further sanctions on SAFA could also follow.
Currently, South Africa top Group C with 17 points. However, should FIFA enforce a points deduction, they would drop to 14 points — the same as Benin — reducing their lead over Nigeria’s Super Eagles to just three points. This development could dramatically change the race for the group’s automatic qualification spot with only two games left to play.
For Lesotho, the ruling could increase its tally from six to nine points. While they would still sit in fifth place, it would narrow the gap to just two points behind Nigeria and Rwanda, who are both on 11 points.
South Africa is set to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final two qualifiers in October, matches that have now become even more crucial in light of the disciplinary case. Nigeria, meanwhile, will play away to Lesotho before hosting Benin Republic, hoping that South Africa falter in their remaining fixtures.
This is not the first time FIFA has taken strict action over player eligibility. In a similar case earlier this year, Equatorial Guinea was punished for fielding Emilio Nsue despite his ineligibility. The decision was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), signalling FIFA’s firm stance on such violations.
The outcome of South Africa’s case will not only shape the fate of Group C but could also determine which African giants secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
