Last year, FIFA and UEFA issued a decision to maintain the ban on the Russian team to participate in tournaments around the world until the 2026 World Cup.
The Russian Football Federation was suspended after the Russian government launched a war with Ukraine in February 2022. Men and women teams cannot attend the World Cup or the European Championship. The domestic clubs also cannot play in UEFA tournaments.
Currently, FIFA has just suspended two more football feders of two other countries, Congo and Pakistan, which is immediately valid due to "serious situation". Both teams in these countries will not attend the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA's statement has a paragraph: "The Congo football federation (FeCofoot) has been suspended immediately due to a particularly serious situation due to the untrue intervention of a third party in the work of the organization and behavior. This clearly violates FeCofoot's obligations according to FIFA charter. "
FIFA will remove the ban with a number of conditions, including returning all control of the headquarters and other establishments of the Federation to FeCofoot.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was suspended from not guaranteeing really fair and democratic elections.
Congo is at the end of Group E in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Africa, while Pakistan is at the end of Group G of the second round of Asia.
The 2026 World Cup finals will take place in the summer of 2026. The US is the host with a total of 11 stadiums, along with three other cities in Mexico and 2 cities in Canada.
Argentina is currently the championship after taking the throne in the winter of 2022 in Qatar, defeating France on the penalty shootout after drawing 3-3 in extra time.
