logo
2026 World Cup : Congo reinstated by FIFA, joins Morocco's group for qualifiers

2026 World Cup : Congo reinstated by FIFA, joins Morocco's group for qualifiers

Ya Biladi16-05-2025
The national team of Congo-Brazzaville will now be able to participate in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup following the lifting of the suspension of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) by FIFA. The decision was announced on Wednesday, May 14, by the FIFA Council Bureau after the required conditions were met.
These included «the full restitution of control over the FECOFOOT headquarters, the Ignié technical center, and other federation facilities to the FECOFOOT executive committee, led by Mr. Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas and his administration», according to the organization.
Congo has been placed in Group F with Morocco and four other teams, including Zambia, Tanzania, and Niger. In February, FIFA had suspended FECOFOOT's membership «until further notice» due to «third-party interference» in its management. This suspension effectively barred Congo from participating in international competitions, including the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The controversy stemmed from the Congolese Minister of Sports, Hugues Ngouélondélé, establishing an ad hoc committee to manage FECOFOOT's affairs. This followed an extraordinary general assembly held in September 2024 by members seeking to remove federation president Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

France Condemns Israeli Plan for Complete Gaza Occupation
France Condemns Israeli Plan for Complete Gaza Occupation

Morocco World

time2 days ago

  • Morocco World

France Condemns Israeli Plan for Complete Gaza Occupation

Rabat — France has strongly condemned the Israeli government's plan to fully occupy Gaza, calling it a violation of international law that threatens regional stability. In a statement on Friday, the French Foreign Ministry denounced 'in the strongest terms' the Israeli government's decision to extend military offensives across Gaza City. The Israeli plan aims to give the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) complete military control over the entire Gaza enclave. 'France strongly condemns the plan adopted overnight by the Israeli government to once again extend its military operations to take control of Gaza City,' the ministry noted. French officials described the genocidal expansion as part of a broader military operation to control all of Gaza. In its statement, the French ministry voiced Paris's 'firm opposition' to any plan that would occupy Gaza and displace Palestinians from their territory. Such actions would create 'serious violations of international law' and lead to an 'absolute deadlock,' the ministry warned. French officials argued the occupation plan would destroy Palestinian hopes for peace and statehood. 'They would undermine the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians to live in peace within a viable, sovereign, and contiguous state,' the statement read. France also reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution and stressed that Gaza must become part of a future Palestinian state under Palestinian Authority leadership. The statement further signaled that Paris plans to continue joint work with partners and the UN to deploy an international stabilization mission that would protect both Israelis and Palestinians. Read also: The Second Nakba Nobody Wants to Own Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also criticized the plan on the social media platform X. He argued the complete occupation would make Gaza's catastrophic situation worse while failing to secure the release of Hamas hostages or achieve the group's disarmament and surrender. France's newest condemnation of the Gaza genocide comes as the Israeli government moves forward with plans for expanded military control over Gaza, drawing international criticism from France and other countries concerned about violations of international law and threats to regional peace. The European country, joined by major international powers including the UK, Canada, and Portugal, has previously announced that it will recognize Palestine statehood during the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. This growing support for Palestine and Gaza follows Israeli-induced starvation and staggering deaths due to famine related issues in the Palestinian enclave. Gaza's health authorities have reported 11 more deaths due to starvation in the genocide-torn enclave during the past 24 hours, bringing the famine death toll to 212. Tags: Gaza PalestineGaza starvationIsareli expansion plans

New Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium to Host Morocco-Niger on September 5
New Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium to Host Morocco-Niger on September 5

Morocco World

time2 days ago

  • Morocco World

New Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium to Host Morocco-Niger on September 5

Marrakech – Morocco's national football team will inaugurate the newly reconstructed Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on September 5. According to the program published by FIFA, the Atlas Lions will face Niger in their World Cup 2026 qualifier match. This fixture marks both an important sporting event and the official unveiling of the completely rebuilt stadium, following months of rumors, suggestions, and speculation about its long-awaited opening. The match, part of the 6th round of Group E qualifiers, will see coach Walid Regragui's squad take on Niger's Mena, led by former Morocco national team coach Badou Zaki. Three days later, on September 8, Achraf Hakimi and his teammates will travel to Zambia to face the Chipolopolo at Ndola's Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for their 7th round fixture. Morocco currently dominates Group E with a perfect record of five wins in five matches. They have accumulated 15 points and boast an impressive +12 goal difference. Tanzania holds second place with nine points, while Zambia and Niger follow with six points each. Congo remains at the bottom without any points. The revitalized Moulay Abdellah Stadium constitutes a next-level investment in Morocco's athletic facilities. Originally built in 1980, the stadium was completely demolished in 2023 and reconstructed to host several matches during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The revamped stadium features a seating capacity of 68,500 spectators, an increase of 21,000 from its previous configuration. The facility includes modernized stands, interior spaces that meet international standards, numerous VIP boxes, and areas for conferences and cultural activities. Read also: Morocco Makes History: SNRT to Deploy Spidercam in All 9 AFCON Stadiums One of the stadium's most notable innovations is its LED lighting system for the pitch. Moulay Abdellah becomes the first stadium in Africa to implement LED technology for grass growth. The system includes 6 LED440 units, 2 LED120 units, 6 TurfPods, and a TurfBase management system developed by Dutch company SGL. This advanced technology creates ideal growing conditions for the grass by balancing light and heat. The LED modules allow separate control of light and temperature, precisely adjusting the microclimate based on the pitch's needs. The LED120 covers 120 m² and is ideal for sensitive areas like the substitutes' bench or penalty zones, while the larger LED440 covers 440 m² for broader treatment. At the core of this system is the TurfPod, a connected sensor that continuously measures key agronomic data such as soil and air temperature, salinity, humidity, and received light. This data is transmitted in real-time to the TurfBase software platform, allowing technical teams to remotely monitor the field's condition and optimize resource usage. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who visited the stadium on July 26 alongside FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, was highly impressed with the facility. 'This stadium is unquestionably one of the most modern, efficient, and magnificent venues on the planet, propelling Morocco among the elite of world football,' he declared. Infantino added that 'stadiums are no longer just places to play football, but showcases for countries,' describing Moulay Abdellah as 'a jewel that conveys the image of a modern Morocco, looking to the future and choosing football to unite the world.' The stadium's reconstruction is part of Morocco's preparations for both the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The facility features a panoramic roof, redesigned VIP areas, underground parking, and next-generation lighting, positioning it as one of the main venues for African and world football in the coming years. Tags: 2026 world cup qualifersMoulay Abdellah Stadium

Morocco Drops Four Spots in Latest FIFA Women's Ranking
Morocco Drops Four Spots in Latest FIFA Women's Ranking

Morocco World

time4 days ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco Drops Four Spots in Latest FIFA Women's Ranking

Rabat – The Atlas Lionesses stand at 64th in the FIFA Women's World Ranking, released Thursday, marking a four-place drop since the last update in December 2024. The team lost 12.42 points in total, despite playing more matches than most national teams during this period. Under Jorge Vilda's guidance, the team reached the final of the 2024 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the second consecutive time. Playing in front of a home crowd at Rabat's Olympic Stadium on July 26, they fell short against Nigeria in a close 3-2 match. Despite Morocco's strong showing at the WAFCON, their overall performance did not translate into a ranking boost. Still, Morocco keeps its position as the third-highest ranked African team, behind Nigeria in 36th and South Africa in 54th. Both rivals remain ahead in the continental race, while Morocco's recent results reflect consistency and the weight of tough matchups. At the top of the global list, Spain has reclaimed the number one spot from the United States. The reigning world champions recorded five wins to reach the final of the 2025 Euro, pushing the US down to second place for the first time since August 2024. FIFA will publish the next women's world ranking on December 11. Tags: Atlas LionessesFIFAfifa rankingFootballsports

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store