On Thursday, FIFA announced the suspension of the Congo Football Federation, effectively preventing its national team from competing in international events.
The suspension is due to what FIFA called a “serious issue of interference” in the federation’s internal affairs. The controversy revolves around the creation of a special committee by Sports Minister Hugues Ngouélondélé, tasked with overseeing the federation’s operations.
The FIFA Council Office announced that Congo’s membership is suspended “until further notice,” meaning both the national teams and clubs affiliated with the Congolese federation are barred from international competitions until the suspension is lifted.
This move significantly disrupts the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying process. Congo was initially placed in Group F alongside Morocco, but with Congo’s suspension, the group now includes only four teams: Morocco, Zambia, Tanzania, and Niger. It’s also worth noting that the Eritrean national team had already withdrawn before the qualifiers began.
Currently, Morocco leads the group with a perfect record from their three matches. Congo’s suspension introduces an unexpected shift in the dynamics of Group F, altering the course of the qualifying journey.
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