FIFA has officially suspended the football federations of Pakistan and Congo, joining Russia in being barred from international competition ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament, scheduled to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will see Argentina defending their title, while powerhouse teams like France, England, and Spain compete for the prestigious title.
The suspension of Pakistan and Congo comes due to “serious circumstances,” preventing both nations from participating in the World Cup. Russia’s ban remains in effect due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, a decision that has been upheld by both FIFA and UEFA.
Why is Congo suspended?
Congo’s suspension is due to interference from third parties in the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT), violating FIFA regulations. FIFA has stated that Congo’s ban could be lifted if the association regains full control of its headquarters and other facilities. The suspension was implemented after two FIFA/CAF missions were sent to Brazzaville to assess the situation. At the time of the suspension, Congo was in last place in Group E of the CAF qualification section.
Pakistan suspended from World Cup 2026
Pakistan’s suspension stems from the Pakistan Football Federation’s (PFF) failure to revise its constitution to ensure fair and democratic elections. This is the third time Pakistan has faced a FIFA ban, following suspensions in 2017 and 2021.
The ban will only be lifted if the PFF Congress approves the revised constitution as proposed by FIFA and the AFC. Currently, Pakistan’s team has already finished their campaign at the bottom of Group G in the AFC qualification section.
Ghana could face a similar ban, according to Ghanaian journalist Derrick Ayim, if there is interference in the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) operations. Ayim has warned the newly appointed Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, to avoid directing the GFA, as this could lead to FIFA sanctions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the GFA’s independence to prevent any potential bans like those faced by Pakistan and Congo.
Fifa suspends Pakistan and Congo pic.twitter.com/43tiD8G7wZ
— Wosoworld (@karlyboy71) February 6, 2025
When will the 2026 World Cup take place?
According to ESPN, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to commence on June 11, 2026, and conclude on July 19, 2026. This tournament will be historic, as it marks the first time the World Cup will be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Matches will be played across 16 cities, including iconic venues like Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, and New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which will host the final
One of the most exciting aspects of the 2026 World Cup is the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, introducing a new group stage format with 12 groups of four teams each. This change aims to provide more nations with the opportunity to compete on the world stage, enhancing the global appeal of the tournament.
The tournament’s scale is unprecedented, with 104 matches scheduled over 39 days. This expanded schedule allows for more diverse matchups and increased fan engagement.
Desde uno de los lugares más icónicos de nuestra sede mundialista y donde será nuestro FIFA Fan Festival™️, el Parque Fundidora, celebramos junto con todos los regiomontanos a 1️⃣ año de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™️. 🏆⚽️#WeAreReady #SomosMonterrey #Somos26 pic.twitter.com/n3AoqXcLyj
— Monterrey World Cup 2026 (@MonterreyFWC26) June 12, 2025
The inclusion of 48 teams means more emerging football nations will have the chance to showcase their talent, potentially leading to unexpected upsets and thrilling matches.
Hosting the World Cup across three countries offers a unique cultural experience for fans. Each host nation brings its own rich football history and passionate fanbase, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the stadiums.
Additionally, the diverse locations provide fans with the opportunity to explore different cultures and traditions within the same tournament.
With the combination of an expanded format, diverse host cities, and the opportunity for more nations to participate, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to be a landmark event in the history of football. Fans around the world can look forward to a month of unforgettable matches and celebrations of the beautiful game.
In a previous report, Ghana Sports Market reported Osei Kwaku Palmer’s opinion on Black Stars of Ghana head coach Otto Addo as he answered questions on if Addo can lead Ghana to World Cup 2026.
In a previous report, Ghana Sports Market shared Osei Kwaku Palmer’s thoughts on Black Stars head coach Otto Addo when he addressed questions about Addo’s potential to lead Ghana to the 2026 World Cup.
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