FIFA Releases List of Teams Sanctioned in World Cup Qualifiers Amid South Africa’s Debacle
- FIFA has released a list of teams that have been sanctioned in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as of June 2025
- This includes warnings for Qatar due to misconduct of players, officials, and team behaviour, as well as for Indonesia over order and security issues
- Argentina also faced multiple fines and a two-match player suspension from an earlier ruling in June
The world's football governing body, FIFA, has released a list of more teams sanctioned in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
This comes amid concerns for South African fans after Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Teboho Mokoena had received yellow cards in two previous matches, but the Mamelodi Sundowns star was in action as South Africa defeated the Crocodiles 2-0 in March.
Source: Getty Images
Nigeria and Benin are calling for FIFA's sanctions as South Africa risk forfeiting three points and three goals in the qualification series.
They lead the CAF qualification group C with 17 points, while Benin have 14 and the Super Eagles have 11.
With two matches left in the series, South Africa's World Cup chances could be affected should FIFA confirm its sanctions.
Meanwhile, FIFA has released a fresh list of teams that have been sanctioned in the qualifiers as of June, but South Africa is nowhere on the list.
A document, which has since gone viral on the internet, showed that Qatar are slammed for misconduct of players and officials as well as team misconduct.
They were warned in the verdict issued on June 4, 2025, with no financial penalty.
Indonesia also received a warning over order and security matters during a qualifying fixture.
Also in a sanction issued in January, Argentina were slammed with a $20,000 fine, and a two-match suspension for the involved player.
A clear look at the document, South Africa could not be found - meaning there are no sanctions against SAFA at the moment.
Meanwhile, Benin Republic head coach Gernor Rohr is unimpressed with the delay in FIFA's decision.
Speaking after Benin’s narrow 1-0 win over Zimbabwe, the former Nigerian national team head coach expressed his frustration at the unexplained delay, according to the Daily Post.
"South Africa won against Lesotho? Okay, but the match that matters is the first leg, where they have to lose the three points. It is very clear.
"The rules are very, very clear. It is not normal... We have 11 points after this match today. South Africa has to lose three points and then we will be only two points behind our opponent. What are they waiting for? I don’t know. It is incomprehensible.”
Source: Getty Images
Lesotho FA writes FIFA
Legit.ng earlier reported that the secretary general of the Lesotho Football Association, Mokhosi Mohapi, has confirmed that a letter has been written to FIFA after South Africa fielded an ineligible player against the Crocodiles.
The FIFA disciplinary code stipulates that a player who has received yellow cards in two previous matches is automatically suspended in the next game.
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Source: Legit.ng
