2026 World Cup Qualifiers: McCarthy demands accountability at SAFA after Bafana Bafana’s points deduction

South Africa’s all-time leading scorer, Benni McCarthy, has called for decisive action at the South African Football Association (SAFA) if Bafana Bafana fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The national team had held a three-point advantage heading into the final two qualifiers, only for FIFA to dock them the points after ruling that an ineligible player was fielded against Lesotho in March.

McCarthy, who now coaches Kenya and featured in two World Cups as a player, emphasized that those responsible must face consequences.

“Hypothetically? Do you really want to know? Whoever is responsible must pay a hefty price because South Africa have not qualified for a World Cup since Korea Japan in 2002, that was the last time we qualified,” McCarthy told SuperSport’s Soccer Africa.

“And I’m not saying that they’re going to, but football is a funny old game and if these two games do not go accordingly and they miss out because of incompetence, then heads have to fly – it’s as simple as that.

“The mistake was huge — this is the World Cup, not a small tournament. But the players must regroup, stay motivated, and fight for qualification.

“It’s demoralising. You fought hard for those points, and now they’re gone because of an administrative error. But the players can’t dwell on it. They need to forget the mess, focus forward, and win the next two matches,” he added.

South Africa last appeared at a World Cup in 2002, having automatically qualified in 2010 as hosts.

SAFA has issued an apology and lodged an appeal with FIFA to contest the decision. Bafana Bafana will conclude their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.