Football/ Congo-Brazzaville suspended by FIFA over governance crisis

Congo-Brazzaville’s national football team has been suspended from international competition by FIFA due to third-party interference in the country’s football association, Fecofoot.

The suspension, announced after consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), follows two investigative missions to Brazzaville, which revealed a “particularly serious situation” of external influence violating FIFA’s statutes.

FIFA has demanded that full control of Fecofoot’s headquarters be restored and that attempts to alter the signatories of the federation’s bank accounts cease before the suspension can be lifted.

This decision casts doubt on Congo’s upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Tanzania and Zambia in March.

The suspension adds to Congo’s challenges, as they currently sit at the bottom of Group E without any points.

Their woes deepened last year when FIFA awarded Niger a 3-0 win after Congo failed to attend a scheduled match in Kinshasa, DR Congo.

Congo had argued that a stadium in Brazzaville was suitable, but FIFA ruled against them.

The suspension underscores the ongoing governance issues plaguing Congolese football, leaving the national team, known as the Red Devils, in limbo.

FIFA’s strict stance highlights its zero-tolerance policy toward interference, leaving Congo’s football future uncertain until the conditions for reinstatement are met.