BREAKING: FIFA docks South Africa points, goals for fielding ineligible player in WCQ

FIFA has ruled that South Africa must forfeit their 2-0 victory over Lesotho in the 2026 World Cup qualifying match played on March 21 in Polokwane, after the team fielded an ineligible player.

The world football governing body announced on Monday that the result has been overturned to a 3-0 win in favour of Lesotho.

This decision pushes South Africa down to second place in Group C on goal difference behind Benin, while Lesotho remain in fifth place.

According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, South Africa breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by allowing midfielder Teboho Mokoena to play despite him being suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in earlier matches against Benin and Zimbabwe.

In addition to forfeiting the match, the South African Football Association has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536). The FA, however, still has the option of appealing the decision before the FIFA Appeals Committee.