FIFA has taken immediate action, suspending the football federations of Congo and Pakistan due to ‘serious circumstances’, effectively barring both nations from participating in the 2026 World Cup.
The Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) has been suspended because of “a particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties” in its affairs. FIFA’s statement highlighted that this interference clearly violates FECOFOOT’s obligations under the FIFA Statutes.
The decision was made following consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after two FIFA/CAF missions were sent to Brazzaville, the capital of Congo.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been suspended for failing to adopt a revised constitution, which would ensure “truly fair and democratic elections”. The suspension will remain in place until the PFF Congress approves the version of the PFF Constitution proposed by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
PFF Normalisation Committee Chairman, Haroon Malik, stated that FIFA wishes to amend the PFF Constitution to bring it in line with international standards. However, the newly-elected PFF Congress members have not agreed to FIFA’s proposals.
Russia is the third country to be suspended by FIFA, following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Currently, Congo is at the bottom of Group E in the CAF qualification section, while Pakistan finished last in Group G during the second round of AFC qualification.
