Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
It is a football miracle, 48 teams will compete at the upcoming 2026 World Cup and it will be the first world cup to be hosted by more than one nation (Mexico, Canada, United States Of America) since 2002.
The move by FIFA brings much dazzlement to the African continent who will get 11 slots from the current and previous five. Nine slots are guaranteed one will be via playoffs and the remainder is thanks to Morocco who reached semi final.
Speaking to Zim GBC News sports Mthabisi Sibanda, a soccer fanatic said he always felt unhappy to just see only five teams representing the African continent.
“To watch just five teams from Africa was a real problem because we have many good teams in Africa. The likes of Algeria, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Zambia, South Africa. All these teams we want to watch at the big stage and they have high quality players, in Nigeria we have Alexander Chuka Iwobi, South Africa has Themba Zwane while Algeria has Riyad Mahrez. Even Zimbabwe we want them there, ” Said Mthabisi Sibanda
The slots allocated to Africa were always inadequate considering that Africa has more countries than any other continent in the World.
” Iam thrilled by the initiative by FIFA to give Africa more representation because we have been oppressed for a long time by the whites (Europeans). We can not have Europe, a small continent compared to Africa have more teams in the tournament. It shows that we are not considered. We should be shown respect. BLACK PEOPLE MATTER.” said Andrew Khumalo
He further added that,
“As Zimbabwe we have a chance to be at the 2026 World Cup if our suspension is lifted when there is still time.”
Zimbabwe is currently suspended from all international football by FIFA due to what the Zurich based custodian of the beautiful game in the world termed government interference in the operation of ZIFA.
“Zifa must fix their problem with FIFA as soon as possible.” Said one fan only identified as Freeman.
“Zimbabwe has the talent that is good enough to make it to the next World Cup but is only handicapped by the bad politics and corruption at both ZIFA and government.” Leo Dube, another football fan said.
Dube went on to establish that domestic football is not a good shape and something must be done.
” Zimbabwean football is at its lowest, as fans we are now losing interest in Highlanders, Dynamos, CAPS united and anything associated with the beautiful game in the country. Something should be done if we are serious about making it to the big stage.”