The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced yesterday that it has punished South Africa with a defeat for fielding a suspended player in their match against Lesotho during the fifth round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, held last March.

FIFA considered South Africa to have lost the match, which took place on March 21 in Polokwane, a game they had originally won 2-0. As a result, the Bafana Bafana team dropped to second place in the group with 14 points, behind Benin on goal difference, with Benin leading by three points ahead of third-placed Nigeria.

The nine group winners qualify for the World Cup.