The world football governing body, FIFA, has suspended the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with immediate effect due to what it describes as “serious circumstances” and governance violations.
This decision, which effectively bars both nations from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, comes after FIFA identified undue third-party interference in FECOFOOT’s affairs and governance failures in PFF.
Congo’s Suspension Due to Political Interference
FIFA, in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), determined that FECOFOOT was facing “a particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties.”
“The decision was taken in consultation with CAF after two FIFA/CAF missions were dispatched to Brazzaville,” FIFA stated.
The suspension will remain in place until FIFA is satisfied that FECOFOOT has regained its independence and autonomy.
Pakistan Suspended Over Governance Issues
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s suspension follows the PFF’s failure to adopt a revised constitution that ensures “truly fair and democratic elections.”
FIFA has made it clear that the Pakistan Football Federation Congress must approve the revised constitution—drafted in collaboration with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)—before the suspension can be lifted.
Haroon Malik, Chairman of the PFF Normalisation Committee, explained that FIFA wants the PFF Constitution amended to align with international standards.
Impact and Next Steps
With these suspensions, both nations are barred from all FIFA-sanctioned events, including qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and continental competitions.
FIFA has stated that the suspensions will only be lifted once both federations take corrective measures to restore their autonomy and governance integrity.
