As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the list of qualified teams is still forming. However, South Africa’s national team is facing challenges in securing its spot in the tournament.
On Monday, FIFA took away South Africa’s qualifying win for the 2026 World Cup, resulting in the team losing first place in its group due to the use of an ineligible player.
This ruling canceled South Africa’s 2-0 victory over Lesotho in March, promoting Benin to the top of the group with two matchdays left, and giving Nigeria a renewed chance of advancing.
FIFA announced that South Africa must forfeit the match, which will now count as a 3-0 loss. The group winner on October 14 will qualify directly for the World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. South Africa has not reached a World Cup since hosting in 2010.
South Africa players celebrate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
The ineligible player
South Africa used Teboho Mokoena in the match, even though he was supposed to be suspended for a previous yellow card accumulation.
This mistake is notable as Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s top soccer official and FIFA vice president, oversees its soccer landscape. Motsepe also owns the Mamelodi Sundowns club, where Mokoena plays.
Next steps for South Africa
FIFA indicated that the South African Soccer Association can appeal the ruling. Additionally, the federation was fined 10,000 Swiss francs (around $12,500), and Mokoena received a formal warning.
Benin’s rise in the standings
With the points loss and a negative goal difference, South Africa has dropped below Benin, which leads the group. Both teams have the same number of points, with Benin having a one-goal advantage.
Benin will play against Rwanda on October 10 before facing Nigeria, which aims for its seventh World Cup appearance and first since 2018. Nigeria will also compete against Lesotho. The runner-up in the group could move on to a four-team African playoff in November, which will determine which team advances to an intercontinental playoff in March in North America.