The Zimbabwean government celebrated on Tuesday the end of the suspension imposed by FIFA and the return of its federation to the world football scene, renewing the country’s hopes of qualifying for the world Cup of 2026.
“Our athletes deserve the chance to find their place and live their dream. And that’s what they will do,” Zimbabwean Sports Minister Kirsty Coventy told a news conference in the capital, Harare.
FIFA banned Zimbabwe from world football and its competitions in February 2022 due to interference by a government commission in the management of sport in the African country.
The government wanted to suspend the board of directors of the Football Association of Zimbabwe (ZIFA) on a number of charges, including corruption, fraud and alleged sexual abuse.
Football’s governing body lifted the suspension on Monday, just two days before the draw for Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and at the same time ordered the appointment of a “normalization committee” to administer the ZIFA until a new board is elected.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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