The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) addressed recent claims about the possible exclusion of Egypt’s national team from the 2026 World Cup due to unpaid financial obligations dating back to December 2023.
On Sunday, EFA Executive Director Walid Al-Attar denied the rumors, stating that “the reports are not true.”
Al-Attar further explained, “The financial dues are part of an ongoing dispute, and no final ruling has been issued regarding them.”
Swiss Media Reports Financial Crisis
Swiss media outlets had reported that the Egyptian Football Association faces a financial crisis that could jeopardize the national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.
According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, FIFA imposed sanctions on the EFA for failing to pay outstanding fees to a Swiss company that organized matches for the Egyptian national team.
Details of the Dispute
The report states that a Swiss company specializing in organizing football matches has an unpaid invoice with the EFA. On December 5, 2023, FIFA’s court ruled against the EFA for breaching the contract, but no resolution has been made since then.
On February 22, 2024, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a financial penalty on the EFA, giving them a 30-day deadline to pay. However, no payment was made.
By August 19, an additional fine was imposed, along with another 30-day deadline to settle the full amount.
