FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the South African Football Association (SAFA) for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 2-0 in the matchday five clash on March 21, 2025, in Polokwane, but attention turned to midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was deemed ineligible.
Mokoena, a Mamelodi Sundowns player, had accumulated two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers against Benin Republic and Zimbabwe, triggering a one-match suspension that should have kept him out of the Lesotho game.
According to SABC, FIFA confirmed that both SAFA and Mokoena face charges for violating several disciplinary regulations.
The case has now been referred to FIFA’s disciplinary committee, and if South Africa are found guilty, they could be forced to forfeit the match, awarding Lesotho a 3-0 victory.
