El Salvador is at risk of not participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
The El Salvador Soccer Federation is being investigated for money laundering as they face harsh sanctions; FIFA could suspend them from the upcoming qualifiers.
The El Salvador Soccer Federation (FESFUT) has been under investigation for money laundering since late-last week and FIFA is expected to impose harsh sanctions. The international governing body of association football is closely monitoring the investigation and the FESFUT could receive a two-year sanction.
This means that La Selecta will not be able to participate in next year’s Gold Cup and they could miss out the start of the qualifiers in 2024 in CONCACAF and not be able to fight for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. El Salvador will also be banned from the Beach Soccer World Cup that is set to start next year.
El Salvador was looking forward to the start of the qualifiers in CONCACAF because they have a good opportunity to qualify to the World Cup for the first time since 1982. The reason is because Mexico, Canada and the United States will co-host the tournament in 2026.
The World Cup at risk
The FESFUT will appoint an interim president while the investigations continue but in case they don’t meet FIFA’s expectations they will be sanctioned for two years.
On Monday, it was confirmed that no employee is able to return to work as the authorities continue with the investigation in search of more evidence that would incriminate Hugo Carrillo, the current president, and several of the board members he elected.