Brazil’s World Cup qualifying campaign is not going well, and now FIFA is threatening trouble
The record world champions are lagging behind in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. With just seven points from six games and a recent defeat in the prestigious clash with world champions Argentina (0:1), the Selecao are in a slump.
But it’s not just in sporting terms that things are not going well for Brazil, who will also be without superstar Neymar at the Copa America. The house is also in trouble at association level. In addition to the disciplinary proceedings following the riots at the Argentina game, FIFA has now also come forward because Ednaldo Rodrigues has been removed from office as president of the national association CBF by a civil court.
Following the removal of Rodrigues, the world soccer governing body sent a letter to the national governing body CBF on 24 December prohibiting further interventions in the management structure and threatening to immediately suspend the Brazilian national team and domestic clubs from all competitions in the event of non-compliance.
FIFA, together with representatives of the continental confederation CONMEBOL, will visit Brazil in the second week of January to assess the leadership crisis.
Rodrigues was removed from office by the civil court due to alleged irregularities in his election in March 2022 – interference by state bodies in the affairs of its member associations that is not permitted by FIFA
FIFA letter to Reis, not Perdiz
FIFA has also addressed the letter to the deposed CBF Secretary General Alcino Reis, but not to Jose Perdiz, who was appointed by the court as a temporary solution and is to prepare new elections as interim president. However, Perdiz must refrain from doing so, at least until the committee of FIFA and CONMEBOL representatives have checked the situation on the ground.
