By Susil Premalal
It is reported that the Sri Lanka team may not be able to participate in the two matches to be held with Yemen for the FIFA World Cup 2026 which doubles as the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification first round.
FIFA and AFC have drawn Sri Lanka and Yemen together, with the first leg of their World Cup qualification tie on October 12 in Yemen and the second leg on October 17 in Sri Lanka.
This situation has arisen because FIFA has denied the three-member administrative committee appointed for the administration of Sri Lanka Football (FSL) the opportunity to start national football pool training and appoint coaches and bear the related expenses with the aim of targeting the two matches.
It is also reported that the formation of the national football squad has been delayed until now due to the financial issue which has arisen.
“Due to the FIFA ban, a football squad in Sri Lanka has not been in operation for several months. It costs a lot of money to regroup the players scattered all over Sri Lanka and start training. Also, a national coach has to be rehired and paid salaries. But FIFA does not allow the three-member committee appointed by the Ministry of Sports to spend the money. The FSL administration will have to take a step only after the September 29 election. Therefore, it will be a difficult task to appoint coaches or implement a squad for an international match in 10 or 12 days,” said former FSL president Ranjith Rodrigo.
“The three-member administrative committee is hoping to request to intervene in the running of the national football squad and pay the salaries of its coaches as an immediate remedy to the escalating situation,” he said.
“Otherwise it is best for football loving fans to step in and fulfill the basic needs of the squad and coaches working in the office on FSL salaries to step in and start training the squad,” said Rodrigo.
