FIFA has banned three countries from World Cup for 'political reasons'
FIFA have banned three countries from competing at the World Cup due to political reasons.
The 2026 edition, which will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will see an increase in qualified teams from 32 to 48.
Teams will be split into 16 three-team groups, with the top two in each group reaching the knockout stages.
Though the change of format has had its critics, it does allow nations to qualify who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to under the old system.
Two nations have been technically banned from the tournament. Russia are currently suspended from playing in FIFA-sanctioned tournaments due to their February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
They instead play international friendlies against nations largely outside of Europe, with friendlies during the most recent international window seeing them take on Zambia and Grenada.
Meanwhile, FIFA suspended FECAFOOT, the governing body of the Republic of the Congo, due to 'third-party interference in its affairs'.
Congo are not officially banned from the World Cup, but FECAFOOT cancelled its remaining qualifying matches following the announcement of the suspension.
Previously, two other nations were banned from world football's biggest tournament specifically due to political reasons.
During the period of racial apartheid in the country, South Africa were suspended by FIFA in 1961.
The ban would be lifted several years later in 1963, with then-FIFA President Stanley Rous being in support of the apartheid-era South African FA.
FIFA even put South Africa in an Asian qualifying group to avoid them facing African opposition, but other African nations successfully lobbied for the country to be suspended again.
South Africa would be expelled from FIFA entirely in 1976 after Rous was replaced by Joao Havelange, with other sports also choosing to boycott the country entirely.
They were reinstated in 1992 and won the African Cup of Nations in 1996, before hosting the World Cup in 2010.
And in 1992, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was banned from international football as part of United Nations sanctions against the country.
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, the FRY name continued to be used by Serbia and Montenegro, who were still part of Yugoslavia until 2003.
The two nations would then play as Serbia and Montenegro on the international stage, qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. Both nations gained full independence in June 2006.
Topics: FIFA, Football World Cup
Two more countries have had their football associations suspended by FIFA due to 'serious circumstances' ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The next edition of the global tournament which is held every four years will take place across three countries in the summer of 2026.
The USA will be the biggest host of the trio with a total of 11 stadiums due to stage games, with three cities in Mexico and two in Canada completing the tournament's composition.
Argentina are the defending champions having won their third World Cup at the competition held in the winter of 2022 in Qatar, beating France on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra-time.
Last year, FIFA and UEFA decided to uphold Russia's ban from worldwide competitions through to the 2026 World Cup.
The Russian Football Union (RFU) has banned from both FIFA and UEFA competitions since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
That means neither the men's nor women's teams can play in the World Cup or European Championships. Domestic club sides also cannot play in UEFA competitions.
In Europe, the draw for the qualification groups was made in December and Russia was the only UEFA member not to be included with the remaining 54 nations divided amongst a dozen groups.
Now, FIFA has suspended the football federations of two other nations with immediate effect due to 'serious circumstances' - essentially banning both nations from even the prospect of the 2026 World Cup.
The two countries are Congo and Pakistan and FIFA has explained the reasons behind both nations being suspended.
FIFA has banned Congolese Football Association, known as FECOFOOT, for what is described as a 'particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties' in its affairs.
A FIFA statement read: "FECOFOOT has been suspended with immediate effect due to a particularly serious situation of undue interference by third parties in the affairs of the organisation, which constitutes a clear violation of FECOFOOT’s obligations in accordance with the FIFA Statutes.
"The decision was taken in consultation with CAF after two FIFA/CAF missions were dispatched to Brazzaville."
FIFA say the suspension will only be lifted under several conditions including returning FECOFOOT's headquarters to the full control of the Congolese Football Association, halting any efforts to 'change the signatories' of FECOFOOT's bank accounts, giving decisions to an ad hoc committee and ensuring full cooperation to allow the association to operate without any third party influence.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has also been suspended after it did not adopt a revised constitution that would 'ensure truly fair and democratic elections'.
The FIFA statement read: "The suspension will only be lifted subject to the PFF Congress approving the version of the PFF Constitution presented by FIFA and the AFC."
Congo currently sit bottom of Group E in the CAF qualification section, while Pakistan finished bottom of Group G in the second round of the qualification process in the AFC confederation.
Topics: Football World Cup, FIFA, FIFA World Cup, UEFA, Russia
FIFA has reportedly threatened to ban a country from international football and the 2026 World Cup after sending an official letter to its government.
Aside from co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States, four other nations have secured qualification for the next World Cup.
Iran and Japan qualified from the AFC section earlier this week, while Argentina are already qualified from South America. New Zealand are the fourth team through to the tournament, via the OFC section.
The next World Cup will see an increase in competing nations from 32 to 48, giving the so-called 'smaller' nations, in footballing terms, a bigger opportunity than ever to qualify.
Several nations will not be competing in the World Cup due to FIFA suspensions. Russia are barred due to their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while Pakistan and Congo were excluded from qualifying due to administrative failures and third-party interference respectively.
But another nation - who recently played against Russia in a friendly - may now be banned from the World Cup.
According to Soccer24.zw, FIFA have written to the football association of Zambia to warn them that they could be suspended from playing international football entirely.
Soccer24.zw - a domain used in neighbouring African country Zimbabwe - report that the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ), a government organisation, had initially written to FIFA to call for the establishment of an independent electoral body and a 'thorough review of the Football Association of Zambia's electoral process'.
FIFA regulations ban third-party influence in a nation's footballing affairs, including from government bodies.
In February, Zambia FA president Andrew Kamanga was granted a third term in office unopposed, by virtue of eight other candidates being disqualified for failing to 'meet constitutional requirements'.
After launching independent appeals, however, four candidates had their disqualifications reversed. The elections will take place between March 15 and March 29, with a Zambia FA general meeting scheduled for the latter date.
The FIFA letter reads: "We would like to remind you that every member association of FIFA is statutorily obliged to manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties, including the government bodies.
"Any breach of this obligation may lead to sanctions provided for in the FIFA statutes.
"As a result, should the transitional committee be indeed established, FAZ would be at risk of breaching the above-mentioned statutory provisions.
"Should this happen, FIFA will have no option but to submit the matter to its relevant decision-making body for consideration and decision, which might also include the suspension of FAZ."
Kamanga, meanwhile, is positive that FIFA will not ban Zambia from competing in international football.
"Ideally, it shouldn't," he said. "Because for me, what I believe is that, with FIFA, we did have a road map, and agreed in December in that programme to have the elections starting from the 15th of March up to the 29th of March.
"Of course, there's been different interpretations. But at the end of the day, as you can expect, FIFA only deals with the members.
"We expect that this issue will be resolved in due course, but it will be sad if we went the way of being sanctioned by FIFA, which I hope will not happen. I think everyone needs to find common ground."
On the pitch, Zambia are currently coached by the former Chelsea and West Ham manager Avram Grant.
Their star player is Leicester forward Patson Daka, who has scored 21 goals in his 47 caps for the nation
They are still able to qualify for the World Cup through African qualifying - from a group that has been beset with various issues.
Eritrea pulled out of qualifying before it began due to fears that its players would seek political asylum abroad, while Congo withdrew after three games played following their FIFA suspension.
They have four matches remaining in the group, and currently sit three points behind Niger, who occupy the second and final qualification spot for the next round.
Topics: FIFA, FIFA World Cup, Africa Cup Of Nations
In total, FIFA have banned 17 countries for breaking their official regulations since 1950 – including three who have had their football associations suspended due to 'serious circumstances' ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
As of February 2025, 211 different nations are ranked in the FIFA's men's world rankings, with 194 competing in women's international football.
One of the nations currently banned from competing in FIFA-sanctioned matches are Russia following their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Last year, FIFA and UEFA decided to uphold Russia's ban from worldwide competitions through to the 2026 World Cup.
And as we reported last week, FIFA has suspended the football federations of two other nations – Congo and Pakistan – with immediate effect due to serious circumstances, essentially banning them from the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
In total, there are 17 countries who have been banned by FIFA since 2006. And while some of them have since been readmitted, others remain suspended.
In most of those cases, countries are banned from FIFA due to third-party interference – usually from the government – in footballing affairs.
Germany and Japan (1950 World Cup)
Germany and Japan were both barred from the 1950 World Cup – the first to be held since 1938 because of their actions during World War II.
In addition, the Japan Football Association was suspended in 1945 for failure to pay dues, while its German counterpart was completely disbanded in 1945 and not re-organised until after the tournament.
South Africa (1970 World Cup - 1990 World Cup)
South Africa were formerly suspended by FIFA in 1961 due to the nation's strict apartheid policies but Sir Stanley Rous, the FA chief who was appointed as FIFA president between 1961 and 1974, resisted calls to expel them from FIFA.
The nation was eventually expelled in 1976 once Joao Havelange replaced Rous.
The ban was not lifted until 1991, when apartheid was beginning to reach its end and a new football federation was formed.
A ban on playing tournaments officially began in 1970, though technically lasted through the 1966 World Cup as South Africa were simply not admitted as a FIFA member.
Mexico (1990 World Cup)
Mexico were barred from competing in FIFA tournaments for two years after they fielded four overage players during a qualifying round for a world junior tournament.
That meant they missed the 1990 World Cup, which was won by West Germany.
Chile (1994 World Cup)
Chile were banned from the 1994 World Cup after it was found that their goalkeeper Roberto Rojas had used a hidden blade in his glove to cut himself during a match against Brazil.
He previously claimed that he had been injured by a flare thrown by a fan. Rojas was subsequently banned from football for life.
Myanmar (2006 World Cup)
Myanmar, who have never qualified for a World Cup, were banned from even competing in the qualifying stages for the 2006 edition in Germany.
They were also fined $23,500 after pulling out of a qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup that was due to be played in Iran.
The other countries FIFA have banned include Russia (2022 World Cup, Euro 2024), Iraq (2008 and 2009), Nigeria (2014), Kuwait (2015), Indonesia (2015), Guatemala (2016), Pakistan (2017, 2021, 2025), Chad (2021), Zimbabwe (2022), Kenya (2022) and Congo (2025)
Topics: FIFA, FIFA World Cup, Russia
Supporters of Manchester City and Chelsea have been banned from attending this summer's FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the United States, it has been revealed.
The revamped competition takes place across the pond between June 14 and July 13, with 32 teams from six confederations taking to the pitch across 12 venues and 11 cities in the United States.
Chelsea and City, who have both won the competition in the past after winning the Champions League, are the two Premier League representatives and have been placed in Group D and Group G respectively.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Inter Miami, Fluminense and River Plate are among the big hitters participating in the hope of winning just short of £100 million in prize money.
But it's emerged that 150 fans from City and Chelsea have been prohibited from flying out for the showpiece.
According to The Sun, fans who have received Football Banning Orders imposed by the courts could have their plans thrown into disarray as they are poised to receive a letter demanding they surrender their passports.
In line with new legislation, those who have been punished for poor behaviour must hand over the document to the police for five weeks while the Club World Cup takes place.
It follows on from a similar approach being adopted for Euro 2024 in a bid to limit trouble amongst fans.
Commenting on the crackdown, Policing Minister Dame Diane Johnson said: “Many Manchester City and Chelsea fans will want to travel to support their teams in this summer's tournament and we want them all to do so safely and enjoyably.
"But for the tiny minority of troublemakers who use football as an excuse for criminality, we will be applying the same proven preventative measures that we have successfully done for other overseas tournaments.”
Club banned from the World Cup
The supporters are not the only ones banned from attending the tournament. Mexican side Club Leon have been kicked out after they “failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership”.
Leon, who FIFA determined were linked to fellow Mexico side CF Pachuca, were slated to be in the same group as Chelsea but a replacement will be confirmed in due course prior to the tournament getting underway.
It has been reported that FIFA are tying with the idea of having a play-off decide who gets the final spot.
FIFA Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami
Group B: Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Group D: Flamengo, Esperance Sportive de Tunisie, Chelsea,
Group E: River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter Milan
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg
posted by strawgil @ April 03, 2025
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