FIFA Sparks Controversy: South Africa Escapes Sanctions Despite Ineligible Player Scandal

FIFA has published its updated list of disciplinary sanctions from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but the omission of South Africa has reignited controversy over the eligibility dispute involving midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

The four-page document, obtained on Tuesday, highlights several national teams penalised for misconduct in recent months. Notably absent, however, is any mention of the South African Football Association, despite formal protests lodged by Nigeria and Benin following South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March.

At the centre of the storm is Mokoena, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder who featured in the Lesotho match despite having already accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifying campaign. He was booked in South Africa’s 2-1 win against Benin in November 2023 and again during their 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in June 2024.

According to FIFA’s disciplinary rules, any player receiving two cautions across different matches must serve an automatic suspension in the next fixture. Mokoena, however, started and played 82 minutes against Lesotho before being substituted. Critics insist South Africa should have forfeited the points, which would have reduced their tally from 17 to 14 in Group C—bringing them level with Benin and intensifying Nigeria’s pursuit with 11 points.

Meanwhile, the updated sanctions list confirmed rulings against other teams. Qatar received a warning in June over misconduct by players and officials, while Indonesia was cautioned over order and security concerns. Earlier this year, Argentina were fined $20,000 and handed a two-match suspension following breaches by one of their players.

The silence surrounding South Africa’s case stands in stark contrast to that of Equatorial Guinea. Their World Cup qualifying hopes were dealt a major blow when FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that striker Emilio Nsue was ineligible, a decision that cost the team six points and dropped them down Group H.

With two matches remaining, Nigeria’s hopes of closing the gap in Group C hinge in part on whether FIFA revisits the South African case. For now, Bafana Bafana’s lead remains secure.