FIFA has released its latest disciplinary sanctions from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with South Africa conspicuously absent despite ongoing disputes over midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility.
The four-page document detailed sanctions against several national teams but contains no mention of the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Nigeria and Benin had formally protested Mokoena’s involvement in South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March, arguing he should have been suspended. The Mamelodi Sundowns star had received bookings in the 54th minute against Benin in November 2023 and again in the 52nd minute against Zimbabwe in June 2024. Under FIFA rules, two yellow cards in separate matches trigger an automatic one-game suspension.
Despite this, Mokoena featured against Lesotho, playing 82 minutes before being substituted. His inclusion sparked calls for South Africa to forfeit the match and concede a 3-0 defeat. If enforced, Bafana Bafana would drop from 17 points to 14, narrowing the race in Group C and boosting Nigeria’s hopes of qualification.
The latest sanctions list, however, addresses other teams instead. Qatar were issued a warning in June for misconduct by players and officials, while Indonesia received a caution over match security. Argentina were fined $20,000 in January, alongside a two-match player suspension for disciplinary breaches.
South Africa’s omission contrasts sharply with Equatorial Guinea’s case, where FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport docked six points after the ineligible fielding of striker Emilio Nsue. The ruling overturned their victories against Namibia and Liberia, reshaping Group H and boosting Namibia’s qualification hopes.
For Nigeria, the unresolved Mokoena case remains pivotal. The Super Eagles sit third in Group C with 11 points, chasing one of Africa’s nine automatic slots or a best runners-up spot for the inter-confederation play-offs. Victory in their remaining games against Lesotho and Benin, combined with a possible sanction on South Africa, could revive their World Cup chances.
For now, FIFA’s disciplinary bulletin leaves South Africa unpunished, keeping their path to a first World Cup since 2010 in their control.
