FIFA Sanctions 6 Countries in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Amid South Africa’s Debacle
- FIFA has sanctioned six teams in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Argentina facing a $149,000 fine for racist abuse
- The world's football governing body has warned member federations to have what it described as a 'prevention plan' for future games
- It comes amid growing calls for South Africa to forfeit three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player
The world's football governing body, FIFA, has sanctioned six countries in the race for the 2026 World Cup qualification.
Defending champions Argentina were among the teams that faced heavy fines for breaching the rules during the series.
This comes amid growing calls for South Africa to forfeit three points for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Source: Getty Images
Teboho Mokoena had bagged yellow cards in two previous matches and should have been suspended for their game against the Crocodiles.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star was in action in that game, and opposition teams are demanding sanctions against Bafana Bafana, who top the group with 17 points.
If FIFA's hammer lands on South Africa, it could potentially change the situation in the CAF qualification Group C, where Benin have 14 points and Nigeria 11.
FIFA hits six teams with 6-figure fines
Meanwhile, FIFA has slammed a heavy fine on six national federations as Argentina were charged for racist abuse by fans at World Cup qualifiers in June, per Yahoo.
The defending champions were handed a fine of 120,000 Swiss francs ($149,000) for a single charge of discrimination or racist abuse during their game against Colombia in Buenos Aires.
According to the sanction list, Albania bagged the heaviest fine as they were ordered to pay 161,500 Swiss francs ($200,000) for several charges during their game against Serbia on June 7, per Amsterdam News.
The country's FA was charged as fans disrupted a national anthem and transmitted "a message that is not appropriate for a sports event.”
FIFA continues to make efforts to combat racism and discrimination and slapped a 115,000 Swiss francs ($143,000) fine on Chile for fan racism during their 1-0 home loss against Argentina on June 5.
In the same vein, Colombia received 70,000 Swiss francs ($87,000) following incidents during their game against Peru.
Also sanctioned for racism and other incidents is Serbia, and the country's FA must pay 50,000 Swiss francs ($62,000) for racism and other incidents at a June 10 game against Andorra.
Another country's FA on the sanction list is Bosnia-Herzegovina, as they were handed a fine of 21,000 Swiss francs ($26,000) for racism and other offences when hosting San Marino.
Source: Getty Images
FIFA has warned federations to have a prevention plan for their upcoming games as the qualifiers head into the latter stage.
FIFA told to sanction South Africa
Legit.ng earlier reported that a former FIFA Disciplinary Council member, Raymond Hack, believes South Africa could be sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
Hack was stern in his assessment of the situation as he stressed that FIFA’s disciplinary body does not rely solely on protests from aggrieved teams before taking action.
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Source: Legit.ng
