FIFA has published its latest disciplinary list for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but South Africa is missing, despite controversy over midfielder Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility.
The four-page document, seen by PUNCH Sport Extra, details sanctions against several teams but does not mention the South African Football Association. This omission comes after Nigeria and Benin formally complained about Mokoena’s role in South Africa’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in March.
Mokoena had already received yellow cards against Benin (November 2023) and Zimbabwe (June 2024). Under FIFA rules, two bookings trigger a one-match suspension, meaning he should not have played against Lesotho. Critics argue South Africa should forfeit the victory and suffer a 3-0 technical defeat.
If enforced, such a sanction would drop Bafana Bafana from 17 to 14 points — level with Benin — and reopen the door for Nigeria, who sit on 11 points with two qualifiers left.
Instead, FIFA’s latest update names sanctions for other nations. Qatar and Indonesia were warned for misconduct and security issues, while Argentina were fined $20,000 and handed a two-match player suspension in January.
The silence contrasts with Equatorial Guinea’s case, where FIFA and CAS docked six points after the team fielded ineligible striker Emilio Nsue. That ruling reshaped Group H and boosted Namibia’s qualification hopes.
For now, South Africa remain untouched, keeping control of their World Cup path — though the pressure from Nigeria and Benin continues.
