South Africa stripped of Men's World Cup qualifying victory over ineligible player

The Associated Press

· Posted: Sep 29, 2025 1:24 PM EDT | Last Updated: 1 minute ago

South Africa was stripped of a win in 2026 World Cup qualifying by FIFA on Monday and lost top spot in its group for fielding an ineligible player.

FIFA's disciplinary ruling overturned a South Africa win against Lesotho in March, left Benin top with two rounds to go and gave Nigeria fresh hope of advancing to the finals tournament.

Only the group winner on Oct. 14 will advance direct to the World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. South Africa has not played at a World Cup since hosting the 2010 edition.

Ahead of decisive qualifying games resuming next week, FIFA said its disciplinary judges ordered South Africa to forfeit as a 3-0 loss what had been a 2-0 victory over Lesotho.

South Africa selected Teboho Mokoena for the game in Polokwane when the midfielder should have served a one-game ban for getting yellow cards in two previous qualifying games.

The administrative error is embarrassing for South Africa as its top soccer official, Patrice Motsepe, is a FIFA vice president as the elected leader of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Motsepe also owns the Mamelodi Sundowns club that Mokoena plays for.

FIFA said the South African soccer federation can appeal against forfeiting the game. FIFA also fined the federation 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,500 US) and Mokoena was formally warned.

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