FIFA Investigates Bafana Bafana Over Eligibility Issue in World Cup Qualifying
FIFA has launched an investigation into South africa’s national football team, bafana Bafana, regarding the eligibility of midfielder Teboho Mokoena during their recent qualifying matches. The inquiry centers around potential irregularities concerning Mokoena’s participation, which could result in significant point deductions and jeopardize South Africa’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
shoudl FIFA rule against South Africa, Bafana Bafana’s current standing of 17 points from eight matches woudl be reduced to 14. The team’s goal difference would also decrease from +8 to +3, as the two goals scored against Lesotho in March would be nullified, lowering their “goals for” total from 14 to 12. Simultaneously, a 3-0 defeat would be officially recorded against south Africa, increasing their “goals against” tally from six to nine.
The potential sanctions could see South Africa overtaken in the group standings by Benin, currently holding 14 points with a +4 goal difference. FIFA prioritizes goal difference as the primary tiebreaker,while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) uses head-to-head results between tied teams.
Bafana Bafana’s qualification hopes would then hinge on Benin failing to secure maximum points in their remaining fixtures against Rwanda and Nigeria, both away games, and on South Africa winning their final two matches – ideally with considerable goal margins. Despite the setback, analysts believe South Africa would remain in contention, albeit with considerably reduced certainty.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. The outcome of FIFA’s inquiry will have a decisive impact on the final qualification standings for the 2026 World Cup, with the group winner automatically advancing to the tournament.
