Tunisia risk their World Cup spot weeks before kickoff

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – The world football's governing body may block Tunisia's 2022 FIFA World Cup participation weeks before the tournament's kickoff as FIFA has recently warned the Tunisian football body on suspicion of a government interference within the organization, Qatari media reported.

Doha News said on Sunday that FIFA sent a letter to warn the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) as Tunisia may miss the Qatar 2022 if the Tunisian government's interference is found within the organization.

In the letter, FIFA asked Tunisia to clarify remarks by Youth and Sports Minister Kamel Deguiche that threatened to dissolve some federal offices, which irked FIFA.

According to the FIFA rules, there should not be any government and judicial involvement in the all member nations' federations so that they can do football activities independently.

"Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the FIFA laws, including suspension of the relevant association," the FIFA letter said.

In February, FIFA suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya's all international football activities for the governmental interferences in football.

Dubbed the Eagles of Carthage, Tunisia are set to play their sixth World Cup as the North African country will face defending world champions France, and Australia and Denmark in Group D.

The Qatar 2022, the first World Cup ever to be held during Northern Hemisphere winter, will begin on Nov. 20.

Tunisia previously played in the 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2018 World Cup finals. But the Eagles of Carthage were unable to get out of the group phase on all the World Cup occasions.

In Group D opener, Tunisia will play against the EURO 2020 semifinalists Denmark on Nov. 22.