FIFA Sanctions the President of the Panamanian Federation After Qualification for the 2026 World Cup
Days after Panama secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world football governing body has imposed a sanction on the president of the Panamanian federation, Manuel Arias.
FIFA has banned Arias from participating in any football-related activity for six months. This suspension will end approximately four weeks before the start of the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The sanction includes a ban from attending the World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C.FIFA has also fined Arias 20,000 Swiss francs (approximately $25,000) for failing to comply with a previous decision by the ethics committee that had suspended him for six months until July. The details of how Arias violated the ban were not specified.
The origin of the sanction dates back to derogatory comments by Arias towards player Marta Cox, to whom he suggested she was “fat” after Cox criticized the organization of the national team, which qualified for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Arias acknowledged having made “unfortunate” comments in March 2024.
During his first six-month suspension, Arias should have been excluded from two World Cup qualifying matches and the Gold Cup, which was held in the United States until July.
Arias has the right to appeal the latest sanctions imposed by FIFA.
Panama secured its place in the World Cup after defeating El Salvador 3-0 last Tuesday, while the group leader, Suriname, lost to Guatemala 3-1.
