International football’s governing body, FIFA, enforces strict eligibility rules for players in World Cup qualifying matches.
When a team fields a player who should not have been eligible; due to suspension, nationality rules, or registration irregularities: FIFA can forfeit matches, deduct points, overturn results, and levy fines.
Below are several notable cases where these rules affected World Cup qualification campaigns.
Nigeria (2017) — Forfeited Match, Fine
During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria fielded defender Abdullahi Shehu in a match against Algeria despite him being ineligible due to an unserved suspension for accumulating yellow cards. FIFA ruled the match forfeit, awarding Algeria a 3–0 win, and fined Nigeria CHF 6,000. Nigeria’s qualification was not affected because they had already secured a spot before the ruling.
South Africa (2025) — Points Deduction and Forfeit
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, South Africa were found to have played midfielder Teboho Mokoena despite him being ineligible due to accumulated yellow cards. FIFA forfeited the match they had won 2–0 over Lesotho, awarding Lesotho a 3–0 victory, and docked South Africa three points, along with a fine. This ruling had a major impact on the group standings and increased competition for the qualifying spots.
Burkina Faso (2012) — Forfeited Result, Point Loss
In the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Burkina Faso fielded Hervé Zengue in a match against Congo despite questions over his eligibility (he lacked proper documentation). FIFA forfeited the match, awarding a 3–0 win to Congo, and deducted points, which hurt Burkina Faso’s chances in the qualifying group.
Gabon (2014) — Match Overturned, Qualification Impact
Also during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Gabon had a match result overturned because they fielded an ineligible player. Football’s world governing body ruled Charly Moussono was ineligible because he represented Cameroon at the 2006 Beach Soccer World Cup. FIFA awarded their opponents a 3–0 victory, which effectively damaged Gabon’s campaign and diminished their chances of advancing from the group stages.
Solomon Islands (2016) — Forfeit, Fine
FIFA sanctioned the Solomon Islands national team for fielding an ineligible player who should have been suspended due to accumulated cautions in a match against Tahiti during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. The match was forfeited (3–0 loss) and the federation fined.
Ethiopia (2014) — Overturned Win
During the same African qualifying cycle, Ethiopia had a 3–0 victory overturned because they fielded Minyahil Teshome Beyene despite him being ineligible after receiving two bookings. The ruling reversed Ethiopia’s win and impacted their group position.
Togo (2013) — Forfeited Match
In another African qualifier, Togo had to forfeit a match they had originally won because they fielded Jacques Alexys Romao, who was ineligible due to card accumulation. That ruling undermined Togo’s progress in the qualification round.
Timor‑Leste (Various) — Barred from Qualifiers
While not a senior FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Timor‑Leste was found to have used a string of ineligible players based on falsified documentation in international competitions. FIFA barred them from some qualification tournaments, demonstrating how eligibility infractions can cross different competitions and affect qualification opportunities.
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