Tunisia Risks Exclusion From 2022 FIFA World Cup

Tunisia faces a nervous wait to find out if they would be playing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar or be excluded after supposed government interference in the running of the game.

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) takes exception to governments unnecessarily meddling into the affairs of the running of football associations.

Despite FIFA’s member federations expected to be free from legal and political interference they however have to rely on government backing when hosting of tournaments is the subject.

Tunisia were given up to Friday (today) to clarify statements made by Tunisia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Kamel Deguiche, about the possibility of “dissolving federal bureaux.”

The world governing body considers his statement an attempt to meddle in the running of the country’s football federation (FTF), and has asked for clarification about attempts to interfere in its internal affairs and threats to dissolve its office.

The Zurich-based organisation reminded the FTF that member associations are “legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties”.

“Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association,” said a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, Fifa’s director of member associations, to FTF general secretary Wajdi Aouadi.

The 2004 African champions are set to face World Cup holders France, Denmark and Australia in Group D in Qatar.

The Carthage Eagles have never gone past the group stage in five previous World Cup finals appearances, and will open their campaign against the Danes on 22 November.