FIFA has suspended Congo-Brazzaville from international football due to third-party interference in the affairs of the country’s football federation, Fecofoot.
The world football governing body described the situation as “particularly serious,” citing undue influence as a clear violation of Fecofoot’s obligations under FIFA statutes.
The decision, made in consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), followed two joint FIFA/CAF missions to Brazzaville.
In an official statement, FIFA outlined conditions for lifting the suspension, including restoring full control of Fecofoot’s headquarters to the federation and halting any attempts to alter signatories on its bank accounts.
The ban casts uncertainty over Congo’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania and Zambia in March. The team currently sits at the bottom of Group E with no points after FIFA’s disciplinary panel awarded Niger a 3-0 victory when their scheduled match in June last year failed to take place.
Congo had been set to host the game in Kinshasa, DR Congo, as their home stadium did not meet international standards. However, they failed to travel, insisting that a stadium in Brazzaville was suitable to stage the fixture.
