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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.

Published

1 year ago

February 9, 2025

OCHEFA

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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.

Related Topics:2026 world Cup Featured World cup federations

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