The Bureau of the FIFA Council has lifted the suspension imposed on the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) on 6 February 2025.
“The decision was taken after the conditions requested by the Bureau to lift the suspension of FECOFOOT had been met, including the return of full control of the FECOFOOT headquarters, the Ignié Technical Centre and the association’s other facilities to the FECOFOOT Executive Committee led by Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas and his administration,” read a statement by FIFA on Wednesday.
The suspension had led to the cancellation of Congo Brazzaville’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia in March. With the suspension now lifted, it will be up to CAF to decide whether Congo can resume its participation in the qualifiers.
According to FIFA statutes, a member association regains its rights, including participation in CAF competitions, once a suspension is lifted. However, reinstatement into ongoing tournaments, such as World Cup qualifiers, is not automatic. CAF will evaluate the case, taking into account the timing of the suspension, its impact on the competition’s integrity, and logistical considerations.
Can Congo resume the qualifiers?
In FECOFOOT’s case, CAF will make the final decision on Congo’s return to the qualifiers. It is important to note that missed matches are typically forfeited, and any potential reinstatement will depend on factors like scheduling constraints and maintaining fairness for other teams. In this case, however, CAF has not yet made a decision on the Zambia vs Congo game.
The suspension, which barred Congo from all international competitions, was a result of third-party interference in the country’s football affairs. FIFA sanctioned Congo after the government took over the management of football, violating FIFA’s statutes on the independence of football associations.
Before the suspension, Congo had already played three World Cup qualifying matches. Whether they will be allowed to replay their missed fixture against Zambia remains uncertain. Their remaining fixtures include a home match against Tanzania in September, an away game against Niger, and a final clash with Morocco in October.
Congo currently sits at the bottom of Group E with zero points, trailing fourth-placed Zambia, who have three points from four matches. Morocco leads the group with 15 points, while Niger and Tanzania are tied on six points each.
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