FIFA Clears South Africa over Player Ineligibility Allegation
World Football ruling body, FIFA has cleared South Africa of any wrongdoing over claims the country fielded an ineligible player during a recent 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.
The decision was confirmed hours before South Africa’s Group C match against Nigeria in Bloemfontein, which ended 1-1. The ruling keeps Bafana Bafana in contention for qualification. A win over Nigeria and a failure by Benin to beat Lesotho would have sealed their World Cup ticket.
FIFA confirmed the development on Tuesday via a post on its official X handle. The South African Football Association (SAFA) had faced possible disciplinary action, including a points deduction or match forfeiture.
FIFA did not disclose details of the allegation. Such violations usually involve player registration, suspension status, or nationality eligibility. In past cases, FIFA sanctioned teams like Equatorial Guinea and Congo for similar offences during World Cup qualifiers.
Those sanctions often included point deductions or disqualifications. The decision has sparked mixed reactions from football analysts and rival federations, with some questioning FIFA’s consistency in disciplinary matters.
South Africa last played at the World Cup in 2010 as hosts. They are aiming for a return to the global stage in 2026. Nigeria, who have qualified for six of the last seven World Cups are set to miss out of the 2026 football fiesta for a second time in a row.
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