World Cup
And Now, South Africans Join Calls for FIFA Ruling on Mokoena Eligibility Saga
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
The controversy surrounding South Africa’s use of an ineligible player in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has taken a new twist, with even South Africans now urging FIFA to deliver a ruling.
At the heart of the dispute is midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was fielded in Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 win over Lesotho in Polokwane last March despite being suspended after picking up two yellow cards earlier in the campaign.
While South Africa admitted the blunder, FIFA has yet to make a decision on possible sanctions — six months later. But the football governing body has made decisions on infractions committed in June in other continents of South America, Europe and Asia while turning the blind eye to that of Africa.
The African football confederation is being led by a South African, thus fueling suspicions. Teboho Mokoena, the offending player also features for Mamelodi Sundowns, a club owned by the CAF president.
Writing in South African newspaper, Sowetan, sports editor Nkareng Matshe argued that FIFA’s silence risks tarnishing what has otherwise been an impressive qualifying run by Bafana Bafana.
“We have already admitted to the error, and precedence dictates that we be punished and stripped of three points,” Matshe wrote.
“FIFA’s delay in making a ruling should not be treated as a cause for celebration. It only fuels conspiracy theories and unfairly smears the team.”
Matshe noted that Hugo Broos’s side, buoyed by their 2023 AFCON bronze medal finish, have matured into genuine contenders and could still qualify even if docked points.
“Bafana don’t need FIFA’s helping hand to qualify. They are strong enough to get over the line on merit,” he insisted.
But critics elsewhere in Group C — including Nigeria, Rwanda, Benin and Lesotho — argue that FIFA’s inaction has distorted the standings and created unnecessary tension. Benin’s coach Gernot Rohr told Reuters this week:
“It is not normal that we don’t know the situation about the points on the log table before our games. Normally, South Africa should lose three points. FIFA should now very quickly give the decision.”
Rohr knows the precedent well: as Nigeria coach in 2018, his team forfeited a point after fielding suspended defender Shehu Abdullahi in a qualifier against Algeria.
Under FIFA’s disciplinary code, teams that field ineligible players forfeit the match, with opponents awarded a 3-0 win unless the original result was more advantageous.
South Africa, however, have argued that since Lesotho did not lodge a protest, the points should stand.
As it is, Bafana top the group with 17 points, three clear of the second-placed Benin and six above that of Nigeria in the third position.
A points deduction would slash that margin, potentially flipping the table and leaving the qualification race wide open with two matches to play.
The uncertainty has cast a shadow over a crucial October fixtures, with South Africa set to ‘host’ eliminated Zimbabwe in what should have been an home match to the latter, thus adding to the unfair play.
The Nigerian Football Federation has echoed the growing frustration, with the communication director, Dr. Ademola Olajire being quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the federation was still awaiting FIFA’s decision.
For now, the giant question mark lingers. South Africa’s dream of a first World Cup appearance since 2010 remains alive — but so too does the cloud of controversy over Mokoena’s ineligible appearance.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that he met with United States President Donald Trump, who told him he welcomed Iran’s participation in the 2026 Soccer World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta, deepening questions over whether the country’s soccer team will compete on U.S. soil this summer amid an escalating regional war.
Trump told Politico earlier that he is not concerned about Iran’s participation, as they were a “very badly defeated country”.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” soccer’s world governing body, FIFA, boss Infantino said in a post on his official social media account.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”
Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.
The Iranians were grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G. Their matches are scheduled to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
If both the U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 elimination match in Dallas.
-Reuters
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A delegation from FIFA has begun a crucial inspection tour across Spain, Portugal and Morocco to evaluate preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The two-week tour, which started on March 9, forms part of FIFA’s evaluation process ahead of the official announcement of host stadiums scheduled for December 2026.
The inspection mission, conducted in collaboration with the national football federations of the three countries, is aimed at assessing stadium infrastructure, organisational readiness and logistical arrangements across the candidate host cities.
Spain and Portugal First Stops
The FIFA delegation began its tour in Spain, where it visited major stadium facilities in Barcelona and Madrid. Officials inspected venues and reviewed ongoing infrastructure works as part of the preparations for the historic centenary tournament.
After completing the Spanish leg of the inspection, the delegation proceeded to Portugal before concluding the tour in Morocco.
Reports from the inspection indicate that FIFA officials were impressed by the progress of the redevelopment of Camp Nou in Barcelona, highlighting the importance of stadium readiness in the final selection of host venues.
Morocco’s Candidate Cities Under Review
The final stage of the inspection will take place in Morocco, where FIFA officials will assess stadiums and facilities in six candidate host cities.
In Casablanca, the delegation will review the construction progress of the proposed Grand Stade Hassan II, which is expected to seat about 115,000 spectators and is being considered as a possible venue for the tournament final.
Other Moroccan venues scheduled for inspection include the Complexe Moulay Abdellah in Rabat and the Grand Stade de Tanger, which is currently undergoing expansion.
Existing stadiums in Marrakech, Agadir and Fès are also being renovated and upgraded to meet FIFA’s technical and safety standards.
Key Areas of Assessment
During the inspection, FIFA officials are evaluating several critical areas including stadium safety, VIP facilities, media operations, transport infrastructure and accommodation capacity for teams, officials and supporters.
Morocco has already embarked on several major projects to strengthen its readiness for the tournament.
These include the implementation of an integrated security system featuring facial recognition technology, surveillance drones and a specialised judicial framework designed to manage large-scale sporting events.
On the administrative side, the Moroccan authorities have established the Morocco 2030 Foundation to coordinate development projects linked to the tournament.
Race to Host the Final
One of the most closely watched aspects of the 2030 World Cup preparations is the competition between Morocco and Spain to host the tournament’s final match.
With the construction of the massive Grand Stade Hassan II and ongoing stadium upgrades across the country, Morocco is positioning itself strongly to host several knockout-stage matches, including potentially the final.
FIFA officials say the ongoing inspection tour is a critical step in ensuring that all candidate cities meet the organisation’s requirements for hosting the global showpiece.
Findings from the two-week inspection will form part of FIFA’s technical evaluation report, which will influence the final decision on host venues expected to be announced in December 2026.
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FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the World Cup is “too big” and that the 2026 tournament will go on as planned despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi was specifically asked about Iran, whose participation in the World Cup is uncertain due to the war waged on the country by Israel and the United States.
“At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously,” Schirgi said, per NBC 5 in Dallas. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone who has qualified can participate.”
Schirgi said that FIFA is monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely while working with federal and international partners to evaluate daily developments.
FIFA said last week that it is keeping an eye on events in Iran just months ahead of the start of the World Cup in June. Iran qualified for the tournament through its participation in the Asian Football Conference.
Iran is scheduled to play Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G. Two of the games are set for Los Angeles, one in Seattle. Schirgi said that FIFA has been in contact with Iran’s soccer federation but declined to provide details of those conversations.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 nations competing across three countries. The United States will host games in 11 cities, Mexico in three and Canada in two.
FIFA officials were in Dallas for the announcement of plans for the city’s fan festival, with the International Broadcast Centre inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center still under construction. Schirgi said the IBC will operate around the clock during the World Cup and is expected to bring between 3,000 and 3,500 media members to Dallas.
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