2026 World Cup Qualifying: South Africa Docked Crucial Points by FIFA

In a dramatic twist that has completely upended the standings in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the global football governing body, FIFA, has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for an administrative oversight. The ruling, announced today, sees Bafana Bafana stripped of three points after fielding an ineligible player in one of their qualifying fixtures. South Africa docked.

The sanctions stem from a disciplinary investigation into South Africa’s usage of midfielder Teboho Mokoena during their qualifying match against Lesotho on March 21, 2025. Despite South Africa winning the encounter 2-0 on the pitch, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee found that Mokoena had accumulated the requisite number of yellow cards in prior qualifiers to trigger an automatic one-match suspension. His participation, therefore, was a clear breach of both the FIFA Disciplinary Code and the World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations.

A Forfeiture and a Fine

As a consequence of the infraction, FIFA has declared the March fixture forfeited by South Africa, with the result officially awarded as a 3-0 victory to Lesotho.

The ruling not only overturns the result but also carries a financial penalty, with SAFA being ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (approximately $11,000). The player, Mokoena, has also been issued a formal warning. While SAFA has been notified of the decision and has ten days to appeal the forfeiture to the FIFA Appeal Committee, the immediate effect is a profound shake-up of the qualifying group.

Group C Thrown Wide Open

Prior to the ruling, South Africa had a seemingly comfortable lead at the top of their group. The deduction of the three points, however, has sent shockwaves through the table, turning what was a straightforward qualification race into a nail-biting, four-way scramble.

The forfeiture immediately drops South Africa’s points tally. This move elevates Benin Republic into the coveted top spot—the single automatic qualification position—while placing South Africa second on the same points tally but with an inferior goal difference.

Crucially, the decision offers a massive, albeit unexpected, lifeline to teams like Nigeria and Rwanda, who are now just a few points shy of the top. The Super Eagles, who have struggled for consistency in the current campaign, will view this development as a golden opportunity. The margin for error has shrunk for the leaders, and with a crucial head-to-head clash against Benin still to come, Nigeria’s path to the World Cup is suddenly far more viable.

The ruling serves as a stark reminder of the meticulous administrative care required in international football, where a single oversight can cost a nation its dream of global qualification. All eyes will now turn to SAFA’s next move and the remaining fixtures, which are now arguably the most significant in the entire African qualifying calendar. FOR MORE INFORMATION, I RECOMMEND SONGBUX.