World Cup: Hope For Benin, Nigeria As FIFA Sanctions South Africa

Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ hopes of securing the Group C ticket in the African World Cup qualifying race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada have received a significant boost following the Disciplinary Committee of FIFA’s decision to impose sanctions on the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during the match against Lesotho on 21 March 2025.

In a statement released through FIFA’s media channels yesterday, the committee concluded that SAFA had breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations by fielding the ineligible player.

As a result, FIFA has declared that the match in question is forfeited by the South African team, with a final score of 3-0 in favour of Lesotho.

SAFA has also been fined CHF 10,000 (approximately £10,000), and Teboho Mokoena has received a warning.

The parties involved were informed of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision yesterday, and under the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days to respond. The forfeiture decision may be subject to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.

With the deduction of three points from South Africa, Group C of the African World Cup qualifiers has now become highly competitive. Both South Africa and Benin Republic currently top the group with 14 points each, while Nigeria and Rwanda are close behind with 11 points apiece.