The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) has officially had its suspension lifted by FIFA, restoring its full rights as a member of world football’s governing body.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, FECOFOOT confirmed that FIFA had ended the sanctions previously imposed on the organisation.
The decision allows Congolese clubs and national teams to once again compete in international competitions and benefit from the global support structures provided by FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“All of FECOFOOT’s membership rights are now fully restored, in line with FIFA’s statutes,” the statement read. The letter of reinstatement, signed by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, marks a crucial turning point for football in the Republic of Congo.
The suspension, which had left the country’s football community in limbo, had prevented Congolese teams from taking part in continental and global tournaments.
It had also halted access to development funding, training programmes, and technical support.
The lifting of the ban now opens the door to renewed engagement with FIFA and CAF initiatives.
Under the terms of reinstatement, other FIFA member associations can resume sporting relations with FECOFOOT, facilitating friendlies, collaborations, and participation in sanctioned events.
The decision is expected to have a significant impact on the domestic football landscape, offering much-needed momentum to both grassroots and elite-level football in the country.
Although FIFA did not publicly detail the specific conditions that led to the suspension or the steps taken to have it lifted, FECOFOOT’s leadership had been working behind the scenes to align with FIFA’s governance and administrative standards.
The reinstatement suggests that sufficient progress has been made to meet those benchmarks.
The news has been met with widespread relief and optimism within Congolese football circles, where the absence from international football had cast a long shadow over development and exposure.
While challenges remain, particularly in rebuilding trust and structure within the federation, the decision from FIFA signals a new chapter.
With competitions, training resources, and international cooperation once again available, FECOFOOT now faces the task of steering Congolese football back onto a competitive and stable footing.
The lifting of the suspension is not only an administrative milestone but also a symbolic one—offering renewed hope to players, coaches, and fans eager to see Congo’s football rise again on the continental and global stage.
