Bafana Bafana’s 2026 World Cup hopes dealt a blow after FIFA sanction

Bafana Bafana has been sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) for fielding Teboho Mokoena in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Lesotho.

The decision was announced by the governing body in a media release on Monday, 29 September 2025.

South Africa fielded Mokoena when he should have been suspended in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 21 March 2025.

“The Fifa disciplinary committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association [Safa] for having fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa v. Lesotho match played on 21 March 2025 in the Fifa World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition, thereby breaching article 19 of the Fifa disciplinary code [FDC] and article 14 of the Fifa World Cup 2026™ preliminary competition regulations,” the statement read.

“The parties were notified of the terms of the Fifa disciplinary committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have 10 days to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, will subsequently be published on Fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the Fifa appeal committee.”