FIFA Lifts Ban on Congo-Brazzaville, Reigniting 2026 World Cup Hopes

Brazzaville, May 15, 2025 — The footballing fortunes of Congo-Brazzaville have taken a dramatic turn for the better, as FIFA announced on Thursday that it has lifted the nation’s suspension from international competitions. The decision comes just in time to revive Congo’s faltering quest for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The suspension, imposed in February 2025, was triggered by government interference in the internal affairs of FECOFOOT, the Congolese Football Association — a clear violation of FIFA’s rules on political neutrality in sports governance. As a result, Congo missed crucial qualifiers against Zambia and Tanzania, casting a shadow over their World Cup dreams.

However, after months of administrative upheaval, FIFA confirmed that the necessary reforms have been implemented. The FECOFOOT Executive Committee, under the leadership of Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, successfully reasserted control over the federation’s headquarters and the Ignié Technical Centre, meeting FIFA’s conditions for reinstatement.

This marks a new chapter for Congolese football,” read FIFA’s statement. “We welcome Congo-Brazzaville back to international competition, effective immediately.”

Despite the good news, Congo faces an uphill battle. The team currently sits at the bottom of their qualifying group, having already lost to Zambia and Morocco, and forfeiting points to Niger due to logistical disputes. With key fixtures looming in September and October, and the African play-offs set for November, the Red Devils must now fight tooth and nail to stay in contention.

Elsewhere, World Cup preparations are well underway. Hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico have secured automatic entries, alongside early qualifiers like New Zealand, Japan, Iran, and Argentina. With seven of the 48 slots filled, the race for the remaining tickets is heating up.

Yet, hope springs eternal in Congo. A prominent national figure has publicly backed the team to pull off a comeback and qualify, injecting fresh optimism among fans. With their ban behind them, the Red Devils have a chance to script one of the continent’s most compelling football stories.