2026 World Cup : Nigeria’s Chance of Participation Brightens As FIFA Sanctions South Africa
Nigeria’s hope of taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, has been rekindled. The Super Eagles of Nigeria which are in third position with eleven points after eight matches behind South Africa and Benin Republic were on the verge of not qualifying. Table leaders, Bafana Bafana of South Africa with seventeen points have been delt a big blow. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the South African Football Association for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in the South Africa match against Lesotho played on 21 March 2025 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, thereby breaching article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Preliminary Competition Regulations.
Consequently, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has ruled that the representative team of South Africa must forfeit the match in question, resulting in a default score of 3-0. The ruling also ordered SAFA to pay a fine of CHF 10,000 to FIFA, while Teboho Mokoena has been issued a warning.
The parties were notified of the terms of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s decision today. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the FDC, they have ten days in which to request a motivated decision, which, if requested, would subsequently be published on legal.fifa.com. The forfeiture decision remains subject to a potential appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
Following the deduction of South Africa’s points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player and with two matches remaining, the gap between Nigeria and South Africa has now reduced to three points. Benin now tops the table with same fourteen points as South Africa in the second position while Nigeria is in third position.
Nigeria’s last two matches are Lesotho – away and Benin at home. South Africa will play Zimbabwe – away and Rwanda at home while Benin will play Rwanda – away and Nigeria – away. Nigeria now needs to win her two matches while hoping South African and Benin drop points.
