Summary:

During the week of 24 October, FIFA’s Director of World Bodies sent a letter to the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) threatening suspension from the World Cup, which begins on 20 November. The letter requested clarification regarding comments by Tunisia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Kamal Daqish, in which he threatened to disband Tunisia’s FIFA-linked football federation. FIFA responded in defense of the independence of its federations from any third-party interference.

Our Outlook:  

We are watching developments related to FIFA’s warning to Tunisia, particularly with the World Cup approaching. As disruption of Tunisia’s ability to participate in the tournament would almost certainly result in some level of civil unrest given the anticipation already building for the event. While perhaps simply an expression of the politics of international football, tangible action by FIFA against the Tunisian federation would be a significant event.