The clock is ticking in Equatorial Guinea. Nzalang Nacional are in danger of missing out on qualifying for the next World Cup. The reason for this is that FIFA and CAS have ordered the country's sporting authorities to pay the debts of certain sacked coaches. If they fail to do so, Equatorial Guinea will simply be excluded from the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea could miss out on qualification for the next World Cup. If the country's authorities do not pay off the debts owed to the national coaches who have been sacked without compensation by 12 July, the country could miss out on qualification for the next World Cup. Equatorial Guinea now has just 16 days in which to settle these debts or risk missing out on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
For the time being, we can already assume that Nzalang Nacional will not be taking part in these tournaments because of a debt of more than €2 million owed to certain former men's and women's coaches. FIFA and CAS resolutions made Equatorial Guinea's participation conditional on payment of the debts. Despite the involvement of the Vice-President of the Republic, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the debts remain unpaid.
"FIFA has had enough of this circus".
At the vice-president's last meeting with the Ministry of Sport and FEGUIFUT, the government of Equatorial Guinea agreed to advance €1.3 million and to pay the remainder in instalments. However, nothing has been done since. Not even the advance of 1.3 million euros announced has been paid. In Malabo, total uncertainty prevails.
"If such an absurdity were to occur, it would be humiliating and shameful for a nation that has its diversity in Nzalang Nacional, which unites the people," exclaimed the huelladeportiva.net media outlet. "How can you ignore the affairs of the Nzalang? What is clear is that Equatorial Guinea is indebted to two people and will be excluded from the world's greatest football competition within 16 days. FIFA has had enough of this circus (with Equatorial Guinea)," added the same source.
The qualifying draw is scheduled for 12 July. Although Benin pulled out of hosting the event at the last minute due to logistical and organisational problems, the date has been maintained. The new destination could be Nairobi, Kenya. The 45th CAF Assembly and the draw for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the African zone are still being held on this date. With the event just around the corner, the footballers of Equatorial Guinea are sitting on an egg, despite having qualified for the next CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2023.
