Uncertainty continues to cloud the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as questions mount over FIFA’s stance on South Africa’s alleged use of an ineligible player.

The controversy stems from Bafana Bafana’s 1-0 victory over Lesotho, where midfielder Teboho Mokoena featured despite reportedly being suspended after receiving two yellow cards in previous games. Lesotho and other Group C contenders immediately lodged formal protests, calling for South Africa to forfeit the match and lose three points, as well as three goals, in line with FIFA’s disciplinary code.

However, confusion deepened when FIFA’s official X account posted yesterday that:

> “Two more teams could secure @fifaworldcup 26 qualification today. Egypt will qualify if they beat Burkina Faso, while South Africa will qualify if they beat Nigeria, and Benin fail to beat Lesotho.”

To many stakeholders, the statement was an indirect confirmation that FIFA had dismissed the protests, effectively clearing South Africa of wrongdoing. Others insist the post does not amount to a ruling and that the matter is still under review.

This is not the first time FIFA has had to rule on such an issue in African qualifiers. In 2018, Nigeria were docked three points for fielding Shehu Abdullahi against Algeria despite his suspension, while Equatorial Guinea and Congo have previously faced similar sanctions.

If FIFA indeed clears South Africa, Bafana Bafana would be on course to qualify for their first World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010. Nigeria, on the other hand, would be left fighting for second place in Group C, hoping to advance via the play-offs reserved for the best four runners-up across the nine groups.

The African qualifiers conclude in October with a decisive double gameweek, followed by the continental play-offs in November 2025. The inter-confederation play-offs, which will determine the final ticket to the World Cup, are scheduled for March 2026.