2026 WCQ: FIFA Strips South Africa Of Win Over Lesotho For Fielding Ineligible Player

World football governing body, FIFA has announced that South Africa have forfeited their 2026 World Cup qualifying victory over Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player.

The 2-0 win recorded by Bafana Bafana on March 21 in Polokwane has now been overturned to a 3-0 defeat.

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

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FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Monday found that South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by fielding midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who had already accumulated two yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536).

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