South Africa Forfeits World Cup 2026 Qualifier Over Ineligible Player
Recent developments in South African football have significantly impacted the nation’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The South African Football Association (Safa) faced penalties after fielding an ineligible player during a qualifier.
Ineligible Player Incident
Teboho Mokoena participated in a match against Lesotho, where South Africa secured a 2-0 victory. However, Mokoena was under suspension due to accumulating two yellow cards. This violation led to serious consequences for the team.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Ruling
- FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled that South Africa breached competition rules.
- A 3-0 forfeit was imposed on the match against Lesotho.
- Safa was fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (approximately $12,500 or £9,340).
- Mokoena received a warning for his actions.
Impact on World Cup Qualifiers
This penalty has reshuffled the standings in Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers. South Africa has dropped from the top position to second place, now trailing Benin on goal difference.
Group Dynamics
The current situation has opened the door for Nigeria and Rwanda, both positioned three points behind Benin and South Africa. The group winner automatically qualifies for the World Cup in North and Central America.
Upcoming Matches
Benin is set to face Rwanda and Nigeria in the final two rounds of qualifiers from October 10 to 14. Meanwhile, South Africa will play an away game against Zimbabwe before returning home to host Rwanda.
Next Steps for Safa
Safa has a window of 10 days to appeal FIFA’s decision on this matter. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
