16-05-2025
2026 World Cup : Congo reinstated by FIFA, joins Morocco's group for qualifiers
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.
