FIFA, the world football governing body, has taken decisive action by suspending the football federations of Congo, Pakistan, and Russia from participating in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to what it describes as ‘serious circumstances.’
The suspension, which was announced after a thorough review by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), immediately disqualifies Congo from continuing their World Cup qualification campaign. Congo currently sits at the bottom of Group E in the CAF qualifiers, making their chances of progression slim even before the ban.
In Pakistan’s case, FIFA cited governance issues as the main reason for their suspension. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has been in turmoil over internal disputes regarding its constitution, failing to meet FIFA’s requirements for fair and democratic elections. FIFA stated that the suspension would only be lifted if the PFF Congress adopts a revised constitution that aligns with international standards.
Meanwhile, Russia remains banned from international football due to the country's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The suspension prevents them from participating in any FIFA-sanctioned competitions, including World Cup qualifiers and other major tournaments.
The suspensions serve as a stark warning to federations worldwide, emphasizing FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance on governance failures and geopolitical conflicts affecting the sport.