The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has penalised the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The world football governing body confirmed South Africa’s setback in a statement posted on its official website on Monday afternoon.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations,” confirmed FIFA.

“Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has declared the match in question to have been forfeited by the representative team of South Africa by a score of 3-0.

“SAFA has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 (R216 000) to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued with a warning.

“The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.”

As things stand, Bafana Bafana have dropped from first to second position, behind Benin, with two matches remaining.

Both countries have 14 points, but Benin have a better goal difference.