Japan will replace Venezuela in 2019 IFCPF World Cup

Japan will be filling the position that became vacant after Venezuela had to withdraw from participating in the 2019 IFCPF World Cup. The Japan Cerebral Palsy Football Association (JCPFA) have always been a dedicated member with regular international participation and IFCPF are delighted that Japan have accepted the vacant position in the competition and they will automatically take the place of Venezuela in Group A (A3).
 

The withdrawal of Venezuela is clearly disappointing news for all parties; however, IFPCF wish Venezuela the best of luck in their preparations for the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games this summer. 

Following the news of Venezuela’s withdrawal, the IFCPF Management Team quickly sent a new invitation to the next four eligible countries (Jordan, Chile, South Korea & Colombia) in line with the ‘2019 IFCPF World Cup Qualification Criteria’. Due to the short time available, none of these countries were able to accept the opportunity to compete.

The IFCPF Management Team consulted with Portugal as the highest ranked team of the IFCPF World Rankings not otherwise qualified for the World Cup, but they also were unable to accept the opportunity to compete.

The ‘IFCPF Competition Rules – 2019: 02 Replacement’ state that: “If any member withdraws or is excluded from the competition, IFCPF shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion.”

The next highest ranked team(s) on the IFCPF World Rankings not otherwise qualified for the World Cup are both Japan and Scotland on equal points. Scotland has indicated that they are not currently able to accept the opportunity to compete. The IFCPF Management Team therefore took the decision to offer the opportunity to Japan.