Zimbabwe have been expelled from 2018 World Cup qualifying for failing to pay coach Jose Claudinei Georgini.

Football's world governing body Fifa said in a statement  it had taken the action "as a result of the non-payment of an outstanding debt".

Fifa added that Zimbabwe's Football Association (Zifa) failed to make the payments despite a grace period.

It ends Zimbabwe's chances of reaching the finals in Russia before the Warriors have even kicked a ball.

Brazilian former national coach Georgini has been owed money since 2008 and Zifa was first ordered by Fifa in 2012 to pay the money.

Zifa is in dire financial trouble, with debts of over US$4m, and was recently forced ti auction assets from its Fifa-financed training centre to settle a legal dispute with a former employee.