Why FIFA Has Banned Russia, Congo, and Pakistan from the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just over a year away, and this is the time when FIFA will reveal its plans and updates! Recently FIFA has officially banned three nations from competing due to serious issues within their football governance. Let’s know why?
| Nation | Reason for Ban |
| Russia | Banned due to ongoing sanctions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. |
| Congo | Excluded for “third-party interference” in football federation governance. |
| Pakistan | Suspended for failing to adopt a new constitution ensuring free and fair elections in its football federation. |
Russia’s Continued Exclusion
As expected Russia will not be part of the 2026 World Cup. FIFA and UEFA banned the Russian national team from international competitions after the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Congo’s Suspension
Congo has also been excluded due to unlawful third-party interference in the management of its football federation, FECOFOOT. FIFA mandates that no external bodies should control football governance in member nations. Since Congo has not resolved these issues, its suspension continues, meaning the nation won’t be part of the 2026 World Cup.
Pakistan’s Administrative Problems
Pakistan faces a different kind of issue. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has not adopted a new constitution, which is necessary for ensuring free and fair elections within the organization. This failure to meet FIFA’s requirements has led to the country’s suspension from World Cup qualification.
Redistribution of World Cup Spots
Introducing the #FIFAWorldCup Sonic Identities, a 16-track playlist celebrating the unique sounds of each host city.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 26, 2025
Each host city has teamed up with a local producer to create their own special Sonic ID. Stay tuned for the full drop coming soon!
With these exclusions of nation, FIFA has redistributed the spots in the 2026 tournament, which will feature 48 teams for the first time. Here’s the new breakdown:
| Region | Number of Teams |
| Europe | 16 teams |
| Africa | 10 teams |
| Asia | 9 teams |
| North and Central America | 6 to 8 teams |
| South America | 5 to 6 teams |
The 2026 World Cup will be one of the most exciting tournaments in football history. The expanded format will give more nations a chance to qualify in FIFA.
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