FIFA Give Nation Three-Point Deduction From Qualifying Group

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, nations across the globe are working tirelessly to qualify for next summer’s international showpiece – but it has recently been revealed that the competition organisers, FIFA, have imposed a 3-0 forfeit on an African nation. And it could have a damning impact on whether they can manage to secure a qualifying spot.

Previously, Equatorial Guinea have been slapped with two 3–0 defeats in Group H after FIFA believed they had fielded an ineligible player in Emilio Nsue, who has played for Middlesbrough and Birmingham City during his career. Nsue, despite being ineligible, continued to play and netted in victories against Namibia and Liberia.

Now, after a terrific start to their qualifying campaign that has seen them top Group C, South Africa find themselves in a similar situation. After eight matches played, the hosts of the 2010 edition of the World Cup had won five of those, drawn twice and lost just once. They’ve now been given a three-point deduction and slapped with a hefty fine – but why?

FIFA Impose 3-0 Forfeit on South Africa, Who Fielded Ineligble Player

FIFA have annulled South Africa’s World Cup victory over Lesotho earlier this month and, as a result, have imposed a 3-0 loss on Hugo Broos’ side. That’s because Teboho Mokoena, who has chalked up 41 caps for the national team over his career and plays for Memlodi Sundowns at club level, played against Lesotho – but, according to The Athletic, he should have been serving a one-match suspension.

The seasoned midfielder, 28 years of age, had picked up two yellow cards in South Africa’s two previous qualifying matches (against Benin in November 2023 and against Zimbabwe in June 2024) and, therefore, should not have been used in South Africa’s September match-up against Lesotho, which they comfortably won 2-0 back in March 2025.

Alongside having to forfeit their three-goal victory, South Africa – who last played at a World Cup when they hosted in 2010 – have been fined CHF 10,000 (£9,300) by the international football figureheads. According to reports, Mokoena has also been formally warned.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) previously claimed they were ‘unconcerned’ by FIFA’s decision to open disciplinary proceedings against them. “We’ve received communication from FIFA about the investigation that they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded, “SAFA chief executive Lydia Monyepao said.

According to the FIFA Disciplinary Code: “If a team fields a player who is not eligible to participate (due to suspension, registration issues, nationality etc.), the match is automatically forfeited. The default result is a 3-0 loss, unless the actual result was even more disadvatageous to the offending team.”

FIFA’s decision to sanction South Africa is subject to an appeal, of course, but that must be filed within a 10-day period. As a result of the three-point deduction, they drop to second in Group C and Benin has overtaken them merely on goal difference and that could be scathing in their pursuit of securing passage to the World Cup.

*All teams, at the time of writing, have played eight matches

Each winner from the nine African groups automatically secure a spot in next summer’s competition, whereas only the four best second-placed finishers (those with the most points) then enter a play-off round with only one additional nation securing a spot. South Africa still have to play Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October to seal their fate.