World football governing body FIFA has sanctioned South Africa for fielding an ineligible player during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, overturning their victory and imposing a fine.
FIFA announced on Monday that South Africa’s 2-0 win on March 21 in Polokwane has been forfeited and replaced with a 3-0 defeat. The ruling drops South Africa to second place in Group C of the African Zone qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho remain fifth.
According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by fielding Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536) and retains the right to appeal the decision to the FIFA Appeals Committee.
