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FIFA Suspends Congo, Pakistan with Russia from the 2026 World Cup:

Congo is currently bottom of Group E in the CAF qualification section, while Pakistan finished bottom of Group G in the second round of the qualification process in the AFC Confederation.

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The world football governing body has suspended three federations over what it terms ‘serious circumstances’.

FIFA has taken swift action, suspending the football federations of Congo and Pakistan with immediate effect due to ‘serious circumstances’.

This decision effectively bars both nations from participating in the 2026 World Cup.

The Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) has been suspended due to “a particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties” in its affairs.FIFA’s statement emphasised that this interference constitutes a clear violation of FECOFOOT’s obligations according to the FIFA Statutes.

The decision was taken in consultation with CAF after two FIFA/CAF missions were dispatched to Brazzaville,” FIFA’s statement read.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was also suspended for failing to adopt a revised constitution that ensures “truly fair and democratic elections”.

The suspension will only be lifted if the PFF Congress approves the version of the PFF Constitution presented by FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

PFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Haroon Malik explained that

FIFA wants to make amendments to 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 that has been suspended by FIFA after it invaded Ukraine back in February, 2022.

Congo is currently bottom of Group E in the CAF qualification section, while Pakistan finished bottom of Group G in the second round of the qualification process in the AFC Confederation.

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FIFA proposes one‑minute off‑field rule for injured players

If approved, the measure would be incorporated into football’s global rulebook.

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FIFA on Monday proposed a new rule that would require players who receive on-field medical treatment to remain off the pitch for at least one minute.

BBC Sport reported that the proposal which is aimed at reducing time-wasting on the pitch, will be discussed during the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board, the body responsible for the Laws of the Game.

If approved, the measure would be incorporated into football’s global rulebook.

At present, the Laws of the Game do not specify a mandatory period that injured players must stay off the field after treatment. Domestic competitions are allowed to implement their own guidelines.

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48 nations to compete as FIFA releases schedule for Series 2026

Twelve groups of four teams each—nine men’s groups and three women’s groups—will compete, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations.

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FIFA has released the full match schedule for the FIFA Series 2026, the expanded edition of its international friendly tournament, which will bring together 48 national teams from all six confederations.

The fixtures, published on the association’s website on Monday, are scheduled for the March and April 2026 international match window.

Twelve groups of four teams each—nine men’s groups and three women’s groups—will compete, hosted by 11 FIFA Member Associations.

Rwanda will stage two groups, while other hosts include Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Switzerland, Thailand, and Uzbekistan.

All matches are official international friendlies and will be broadcast globally, providing fans worldwide with access and giving participating teams valuable exposure, particularly for those that rarely face opponents from other confederations.

According to FIFA, participating Member Associations have chosen their preferred competition formats within each group, either a semi-final and final structure.

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FIFA commits $75m to rebuild war-damaged football facilities in Gaza

According to FIFA, the initiative includes plans to construct a football academy, a new 20,000-seat national stadium and dozens of mini-pitches across Gaza.

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The world football governing body, FIFA, has announced plans to mobilise $75 million to rebuild football facilities in Gaza destroyed during the war between Israel and Hamas.

The announcement was made on Thursday during the inaugural meeting of the “Board of Peace,” convened in Washington by U.S. President Donald Trump. FIFA President Gianni Infantino also attended the meeting, which focused primarily on reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Trump disclosed that FIFA would help raise “a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza,” noting that the initiative would include football-related investments such as playing fields and high-profile visits by global football stars.

“I’m also pleased to announce that FIFA will be helping to raise a total of $75 million for projects in Gaza,” Trump said, adding that the projects would centre on building fields and attracting some of the sport’s biggest names.

According to FIFA, the initiative includes plans to construct a football academy, a new 20,000-seat national stadium and dozens of mini-pitches across Gaza.

The first phase will prioritise building small-sided fields within three to six months, while the proposed stadium is expected to take between 18 and 36 months to complete.

FIFA also confirmed plans to help establish youth and amateur leagues as part of the long-term development strategy.

Infantino described the agreement as “a landmark partnership” designed to channel investment into football, supporting recovery efforts in post-conflict areas.

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