ZURICH (AP):

Cape Verde will not be reinstated to the World Cup play-offs after FIFA dismissed the tiny African nation's appeal in an ineligible player case.

Football's governing body says it informed the Cape Verdean Football Association yesterday of the ruling, which confirms Tunisia's place in the qualifying playoffs. Tunisia will face Cameroon in a two-leg play-off October 11 and November 15.

Cape Verde beat Tunisia 2-0 in a decisive group match last month but used defender Fernando Varela, who was serving a four-match suspension for a red card in a previous qualifier.

FIFA awarded Tunisia a 3-0 victory by default, reversing the standings at the top of the group.