FIFA Dock Bafana Bafana 3 Points Over Ineligible Player

South Africa’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has suffered a serious setback after FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee deducted three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player.

The ruling stems from midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s appearance in the qualifier against Lesotho on 21 March 2025, a match FIFA has now forfeited in favour of Lesotho with a 3-0 result awarded.

Bafana Bafana Breach of Regulations

In its findings, FIFA said SAFA was in violation of Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the competition regulations.

As a consequence:

• South Africa’s victory was overturned.
• Lesotho were handed three points.
• SAFA was fined around R200,000.
• Mokoena received an official warning.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned SAFA for having fielded an ineligible player… The decision may be appealed to the FIFA Appeal Committee,” FIFA said in a statement.

Impact on Group C Standings

The punishment reshuffles the Group C qualifying table. South Africa, who had been leading with 17 points, now fall to 14 points, level with Benin. Nigeria sits just behind on 11 points after eight matches.

With only group winners guaranteed qualification for North America 2026, the decision could be decisive as Bafana prepare to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

SAFA Yet to Respond

The disciplinary body has given SAFA and the parties involved ten days to request a full, motivated decision. That document will later be published on FIFA’s legal website.

Meanwhile, SAFA faces mounting pressure to explain how Mokoena, a key member of coach Hugo Broos’ squad, was fielded despite his ineligibility.

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