MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia’s hopes of participating in the 2026 WAFF Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico have received a fresh boost following the intervention of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, as efforts intensify to resolve the travel challenges threatening the national team’s participation.
By Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
The development comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the fate of Liberia’s amputee football delegation, whose World Cup campaign was thrown into doubt following difficulties obtaining Spanish transit visas.
In an update shared by the team, the delegation disclosed that it had continued engagements with government officials on Thursday in an effort to find a last-minute solution to the logistical challenges.
Led by Hon. George T. Marshall Jr., the delegation moved from the grounds of the Executive Mansion to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), where discussions continued with the Office of the Deputy Minister for Administration.
The team expressed appreciation to President Boakai for listening to its concerns and paying attention to its situation, saying the President’s intervention had renewed hope of representing Liberia on the international stage.
The delegation also acknowledged Marshall for leading its engagements and thanked Deputy Minister Gabriel H. Salee and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for receiving them and offering support.
“We have faced uncertainty, disappointment, and many difficult moments. But through it all, we have refused to give up because representing Liberia means so much to us,” the team said in its message.
The renewed optimism comes against the backdrop of controversy over Liberia’s failed preparations for the competition, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports previously defending the government’s financial commitment while attributing the travel breakdown to administrative delays by the Amputee Football Federation of Liberia (AFFL).
In an earlier clarification, the Ministry disclosed that the government had provided more than US$200,000 in direct support toward the team’s preparations and participation in the competition.
According to the Ministry, the delegation had travelled to Ghana, where it successfully secured Mexican entry visas. However, the team’s travel plans encountered difficulties when the Federation reportedly submitted a late request for assistance in obtaining Spanish transit visas.
The Ministry said emergency diplomatic interventions were unsuccessful because of the limited time remaining before the scheduled departure.
It further disclosed that approximately US$100,000 spent on non-refundable airline tickets was lost following the collapse of the original travel arrangements.
The disclosure sparked public debate over accountability, administrative coordination and the management of public funds, particularly after Liberia’s participation appeared increasingly unlikely.
However, Thursday’s engagements have offered renewed hope to the players and officials, who remain determined to make the trip despite the setbacks.
The team indicated that it was expected to begin its journey on Friday, November 13, travelling through Ghana and Spain before arriving in Mexico.
With the tournament’s opening scheduled for November 13, the narrow timeframe presents a significant challenge, and the success of the renewed diplomatic efforts remains crucial.
For the players, however, the determination to represent their country has not diminished.
The delegation appealed to Liberians to continue supporting the team, insisting that their physical challenges would not define their capabilities or limit their ambitions.
“Our physical challenges do not define what we can achieve. The difficulties we face will not take away our determination to represent our country and make our people proud,” the team stated.
The latest development has shifted attention back to the government’s ability to facilitate the delegation’s participation, following weeks of uncertainty that threatened to deny the players an opportunity to compete on the world stage.
While the President’s intervention has restored optimism, whether the outstanding travel arrangements can be completed in time remains to be seen.
For Liberia’s amputee footballers, the message remains one of determination and faith: their World Cup dream is not over.
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