FIFA has lifted its ban on Zimbabwe’s football, allowing the team, which participated in the Africa Cup of Nations in the previous year, to compete again. The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has also been reinstated under the temporary governance of a committee set up by FIFA.
The decision by the world football authority opens the door for Zimbabwe’s participation in Wednesday’s draw for the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers.
“We offer our complete support from both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to ensure Zimbabwean football achieves the success we all anticipate,” expressed Solomon Mudege, FIFA’s African development chief, at a press briefing in Harare on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe faced a FIFA ban in February 2022 when the government-appointed Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended Zifa, prompting FIFA to retaliate, as it prohibits third-party interference in the operation of football associations.
The repercussions of this fallout included Zimbabwe’s exclusion from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2024 Women’s Afcon qualifiers, among others. Additionally, FIFA froze funding for Zifa.
Allegations of sexual harassment of female referees by Zifa technical staff and claims of fraudulent activities within the football body provoked the SRC’s actions.
In September 2022, FIFA imposed a five-year suspension on former Zifa official Obert Zhoya, found guilty of sexually harassing three female referees.
The freshly instituted normalization committee, to complete its tasks by 30th June 2024, will reform Zifa, revamp its statutes, and organize elections for a new board. It will also ensure a smooth financial transition to the new Zifa board and establish a cooperative agreement between the SRC and Zifa to tackle sexual harassment issues.
Zimbabwe’s approach to the FIFA ban was unusual, with the SRC taking its time to address grave concerns within Zifa. Kirsty Coventry, National Sports Minister and Africa’s most decorated Olympian, emphasized the necessity of this delay, given the severity of the issues that triggered it.
Coventry highlighted the opportunity to establish a strong foundation for all stakeholders – fans, young players, women’s and men’s teams, to unite and flourish together.
Though Zimbabwe has never won a Nations Cup, it boasts several regional titles, with the most recent being the Cosafa Cup in 2018, a tournament contested by southern African countries.
FIFA’s secretary general Fatma Samoura confirmed in a letter that all conditions for lifting the suspension have been met. Now, Zimbabwe must tackle the challenge of not having an approved stadium for international football.
Minister Coventry confirmed renovation plans for the National Sports Stadium in Harare to meet international standards, a necessary step for Caf to allow the city to host matches again.
The normalization committee will comprise former Dynamos FC chairman Lincoln Mutasa, ex-Highlanders player Sikhumbuzo Ndebele, former national women’s team coach and captain Rosemary Mugadza, and lawyer Nyasha Tashinga Sanyamandwe.
The committee, whose members are selected by both FIFA and Caf, must adhere to strict procedures to receive funds from FIFA’s Forward program, which can provide up to $2m a year to member associations.
Samoura stated, “During the term of the normalization committee, FIFA Forward funds will be disbursed in monthly installments upon receipt of a budget, monthly reports, and supporting documents such as bank statements.” She also revealed plans for a forensic audit of Zifa’s accounts to be conducted soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Zimbabwe Football Reinstatement
When did FIFA lift its suspension on the Zimbabwe Football Association?
FIFA lifted its suspension on the Zimbabwe Football Association in July 2023.
Who is appointed to lead the normalisation committee for Zifa’s reformation?
The normalization committee will be led by former Dynamos FC chairman Lincoln Mutasa, ex-Highlanders player Sikhumbuzo Ndebele, former national women’s team coach and captain Rosemary Mugadza, and lawyer Nyasha Tashinga Sanyamandwe.
What was the main reason for FIFA’s initial suspension of Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe was suspended by FIFA in February 2022 due to government interference in the running of the Zimbabwe Football Association, a move that contravenes FIFA’s regulations against third-party interference in football associations.
What actions will the normalization committee take as part of their duties?
The normalization committee is mandated to restructure Zifa, review its statutes, organize elections for a new board, ensure a proper financial handover to the new Zifa board, and establish a collaboration agreement between the SRC and Zifa to address issues of sexual harassment.
How will the normalisation committee receive funding from FIFA?
The committee must adhere to strict procedures to receive funds from FIFA’s Forward program, which will be disbursed in monthly installments upon receipt of a budget, monthly reports, and other supporting documents such as bank statements.
What’s the plan for hosting international football matches in Zimbabwe?
Minister Coventry confirmed renovation plans for the National Sports Stadium in Harare to meet international standards, a necessary step for Caf to allow the city to host matches again.
More about Zimbabwe Football Reinstatement
- FIFA’s official announcement on lifting the suspension
- Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) official website
- Confederation of African Football (Caf) official website
- FIFA Forward program details
- Information on Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium
5 comments
Finally, some good news for Zimbabwe football! can’t wait to see our boys back in action, fingers crossed for the world cup qualifiers!!
it’s been a rough ride for Zim football for sure. good to see FIFA stepping in to help out though. let’s just hope the stadium gets sorted soon!
Wow this is big!! Thank God, things are moving in the right direction for ZIFA. But we’ve got a lot of work to do, i hope the new committee gets it right this time.
Finally!! so proud to see us bouncing back. Now it’s time to show the world what Zimbabwe football is really about. Go Zim Go!
Always loved the passion of the Zim fans. Glad to see FIFA giving them a second chance, sexual harassment claims though…pretty serious stuff. Hope that gets sorted for good.