FIFA has decided that the second leg of the World Cup qualifying play-off between Egypt and Ghana will be played in Cairo, Egypt. This decision comes after Ghana had requested the relocation of the match due to concerns about the deteriorating socio-political situation in Egypt. FIFA, however, was convinced by the Egyptian Football Federation regarding the security of the two teams. The match is expected to take place in Cairo, despite Ghana’s worries about potential violence and insecurity.
This decision raises questions about FIFA’s consistency, as the organization had relocated a match between the Central African Republic (CAR) and Ethiopia in Brazzaville, Congo, due to socio-political unrest in Bangui, CAR. While Ghana expressed legitimate concerns about the security situation in Egypt, FIFA ultimately sided with the Egyptian authorities.
The focus now shifts to whether the security measures promised by Cairo will be sufficient to ensure the safety of both teams and spectators during the match in the Egyptian capital. The first leg of the play-off saw Ghana defeating Egypt 6-1, making the return leg crucial for both teams.
