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South Africa have forfeited a 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho for fielding an ineligible player, world football governing body FIFA announced on Monday.
South Africa’s 2-0 victory on March 21 in Polokwane has been replaced with a 3-0 defeat, meaning they drop to second place in Group C of the African qualifiers, behind Benin on goal difference, while Lesotho remain fifth.
South Africa violated Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code by playing Teboho Mokoena after the midfielder had accumulated two yellow cards against Benin and then Zimbabwe, the football body’s disciplinary committee said.
The South African FA, which has still 10 days to appeal the decision, must also pay a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($12,536).
The ruling offers a lifeline to Nigeria and Rwanda of reaching the finals, with both teams now only three points behind South Africa.
Only the nine group winners qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup. The four best runners-up will advance to play-offs, which could secure Africa a 10th spot in the finals.
For context, the FIFA 2026 World Cup will be historic as 48 teams will participate for the first time, expanding from 32 teams, and will be played across three countries in North America: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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