2026 WCQ: FIFA deducts 3 points, fines South Africa $12,536 for fielding ineligible player

South Africa has been handed a 3-0 defeat by FIFA after fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho.

The Bafana Bafana had originally secured a 2-0 victory on March 21 in Polokwane, but the result has now been overturned.

The decision drops South Africa to second place in Group C of the African Zone qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho stays in fifth place.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by playing midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who had already accumulated two yellow cards in earlier matches against Benin and Zimbabwe. As part of the sanctions, the South African Football Association has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536).

However, the body still has the right to appeal the ruling before the FIFA Appeals Committee.