Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico have received a boost after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player.
In its ruling issued today, FIFA found that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to play in South Africa’s preliminary competition match against Lesotho on 21 March 2025, thereby violating Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.
As a consequence, FIFA has awarded Lesotho a 3-0 victory by forfeiture, deducted three points from South Africa, and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000 (Swiss Francs) on SAFA. Mokoena has also been issued an official warning.
The development could significantly affect South Africa’s qualification hopes, with the forfeited points likely to alter the group standings in the African qualifiers.
FIFA confirmed that all parties have been formally notified of the disciplinary decision. SAFA has ten days to request a detailed, motivated decision, which would then be published on legal.fifa.com. The ruling remains subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
