A shocking development has put Egypt, one of the most successful African countries, in the dark about potentially being excluded from the 2026 World Cup. This situation stems from a legal conflict between the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and a Switzerland-based company responsible for organizing international friendly matches. Failure to resolve this dispute could result in severe sanctions from FIFA, including Egypt’s removal from the World Cup Qualifiers.
The Egyptian national team has been performing admirably in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. They are currently unbeaten and four points ahead of their closest rivals, Guinea-Bissau. As a result, the Pharaohs’ potential disqualification would not only be a shock to fans. It could also derail the nation’s hopes of appearing in soccer’s most prestigious tournament.
The conflict traces back to a contractual disagreement between the EFA and a Swiss company involved in the organization of international friendlies. On December 5, 2023, FIFA’s tribunal ruled in favor of the Swiss firm. The EFA must pay a fine for breaching the contract. According to Blick, a Swiss publication that first reported the story, the Egyptian FA failed to meet its obligations. That resulted in FIFA imposing further penalties on the association.
Despite these rulings, the Egyptian FA has yet to settle the fine. FIFA then issued a final warning and an additional 30-day extension for payment. Should the EFA fail to comply within this extended period, the consequences could be dire. Egypt may not be able to participate in the World Cup qualifying campaign, according to FIFA’s disciplinary committee. That would be a catastrophic outcome for a nation that takes immense pride in its soccer achievements.
Egypt’s struggles with compliance
The unpaid fine has not only put Egypt’s World Cup qualification in jeopardy. It has also raised questions about the administrative efficiency of the EFA. Despite…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/african-giants-face-2026-world-cup-ban-for-bizarre-reason/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-09-25 20:50:55
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