FIFA Sanctions South Africa Over Ineligible Player - World Cup Qualification in Jeopardy

FIFA imposed sanctions on the South African Football Association for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho in March 2025. Mokoena played while serving a suspension for accumulating yellow cards in a previous match against Benin and Zimbabwe.

As a result, South Africa's original victory was overturned in favor of Lesotho, causing South Africa to drop to second place in Group C of the African qualifying zone. The disciplinary committee found the South African FA in violation of FIFA regulations and ordered the match to be forfeited, along with a fine.

Despite the setback, South Africa retains hope of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.