FIFA President Makes Big Announcement As South Africa Awaits Point Deduction Verdict
- FIFA is investigating Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier
- The midfielder had bagged yellow cards in two previous matches and should have been suspended for their game against Lesotho
- While teams await the verdict from the world's football governing body, FIFA president Infantino has made another announcement
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made another huge announcement as South Africa awaits the verdict over fielding an ineligible player.
The world's football governing body is investigating Bafana Bafana in the World Cup qualifiers, and sanctions could have dire consequences.
With 17 points from eight matches in the CAF qualification group C, South Africa is on the verge of picking an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Source: Getty Images
However, things could change should the country be docked three points and three goals in the campaign.
Second-placed Benin, who are on 14 points, could go top of the table with a better goal difference ahead of Bafana Bafana.
Nigeria is third with 11 points alongside Rwanda, who also have 11, ahead of the final phase of the qualifying series.
FIFA confirmed it had opened a case after South Africa used Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March, despite the midfielder having accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the qualifiers.
While respective teams await the ruling, FIFA president Infantino took to social media to announce that Qatar will host the 2025 Intercontinental Cup.
Infantino said on Instagram:
"I am delighted to announce that the host of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 is Qatar. Final on December 17. Let's unite the world once again in the beautiful Qatar."
Details of the tournament were also shared on the FIFA website:
"Paris Saint-Germain will play in the decider on 17 December. Qatar has been confirmed as the host of the final three matches of this year’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup presented by Aramco, the elite annual global club competition which gives the champions of all six confederations the chance to compete on the world stage.
"The final phase, comprising three games, will take place in Qatar in December, marking the culmination of the tournament.
"Match 3, officially named the FIFA Derby of the Americas, is scheduled for Wednesday, 10 December. This clash will feature Mexican club Cruz Azul, winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup 2025, and the eventual CONMEBOL Libertadores 2025 champions, who are due to be confirmed on 29 November 2025.
"The winners of the Derby of the Americas will then face Egyptian side Pyramids FC in Match 4 to compete for the FIFA Challenger Cup on Saturday, 13 December 2025."
Source: Getty Images
South Africans in panic mode
Legit.ng earlier reported that a South African football pundit, Peter du Toit, expressed concerns over the country's approach to the imminent three-point deduction in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana could be sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player during their game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho back in March.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
