Cameroon's 2026 World Cup Preparations Jeopardized by Conflict Between Eto'o and Brési

Cameroon's efforts to prepare for the 2026 World Cup are being severely disrupted by an ongoing conflict between Samuel Eto'o, the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), and the national team coach, Mark Brési. This power struggle has escalated following the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Ivory Coast, threatening to destabilize the national team's preparations.

The crisis intensified when Marc Brys was appointed national team coach by the country's Sports Ministry, bypassing Eto'o and FECAFOOT. This move led to a series of confrontations, including an explosive argument between Eto'o and Brys ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Cape Verde and Angola. Eto'o initially sacked Brys but later reinstated him and apologized.

The conflict has led to significant logistical issues for the team. FECAFOOT has refused to provide necessary equipment, including vehicles and training gear, forcing the team's management to rent a commercial bus and obtain training gear from an official supplier. This lack of support has created a chaotic environment, with players arriving nearly two hours late to their first training session and having to wear their own clothes instead of team uniforms.

The situation has drawn criticism from various quarters. Former Cameroon player Oyongo Bitolo questioned the necessity of the conflict, stating, 'Is this war really necessary? Don't you realise how serious this situation is?... If we achieve bad results later, it will be the players' fault.' Current player Moumi Ngamaleu echoed similar sentiments, urging for a resolution, 'Keep politics far away from us. You have to create a favorable environment around the national team, so that we can play football without any worries... Put aside those differences. Put your ego aside. And together let's put Cameroon on the world map.'

The Cameroonian government has had to intervene to ensure the continuation of the training camp. Colonel Émile Joël Bamkoui, commander of the Division of Military Security at the Ministry of Defense, contacted FECAFOOT's secretary-general to provide the necessary equipment. This intervention allowed the team to proceed with their training sessions, albeit under strained circumstances.

The power struggle between FECAFOOT and the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education (Minsep) has also impacted ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Sales for the match against Cape Verde on June 8 have been halted, further complicating the situation.

The ongoing conflict and its repercussions have cast a shadow over Cameroon's World Cup preparations. With the national team's cohesion and morale at risk, the need for a resolution is more urgent than ever. The upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola will be a critical test for the Indomitable Lions as they face these turbulent times.

The situation unfolding, the focus remains on whether the leadership can put aside their differences for the sake of the team's success. The stakes are high, and the world will be watching to see if Cameroon can overcome these internal challenges and make a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup.

Key Takeaways

• Cameroon's 2026 World Cup prep disrupted by conflict between Samuel Eto'o and coach Marc Brys.
• Eto'o and Brys clashed over team management, leading to logistical issues and player criticism.
• Government intervened to provide necessary equipment, but power struggle continues.
• Ticket sales for World Cup qualifiers halted due to conflict.
• Team's cohesion and morale at risk, urgent resolution needed for success.