FIFA Bans Pakistan, Russia, and Congo from 2026 World Cup, Check Details

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will not feature three nations—Russia, Pakistan, and Congo—due to separate controversies. The decision, reported by Sports Tak, follows a series of administrative failures, geopolitical sanctions, and governance issues within these football federations.

FIFA Banned Pakistan, Russia, and Congo

FIFA has banned Pakistan, Russia, and Congo from the 2026 World Cup for different reasons. Pakistan’s suspension stems from administrative failures, as the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) failed to adopt a revised constitution ensuring fair elections. Russia remains banned due to geopolitical sanctions following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, preventing its teams from participating in FIFA and UEFA tournaments. Congo’s ban results from third-party interference in its football federation, violating FIFA regulations. These nations must comply with FIFA’s conditions to regain eligibility. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will proceed without these teams.

FIFA’s History of Banning Nations

Since 1950, FIFA has banned multiple countries for violations of its regulations. Here are some notable instances:

FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, and it marks a historic moment for several reasons:

1. First Triple Host: The tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This is the first time in World Cup history that three countries will host the event together.
2. Expanded Format: The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded format, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. This change aims to provide more opportunities for countries around the world to compete in the prestigious tournament.

Host Cities and Venues

The matches will be held across 16 cities in the three host countries:

• Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
• Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara
• United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle

Qualification and Draw

With the expanded format, the qualification process has also been adjusted to accommodate more teams. The draw for the qualification rounds and the tournament itself will be closely followed by fans and participants worldwide.

Tournament Structure

The new format will see the 48 teams divided into 16 groups of three teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout stage consisting of 32 teams. This structure aims to maintain the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament while allowing for more participation.

List of FIFA World Cup Winners From 1930-2025

The complete FIFA World Cup Winners List from 1930 to 2022 is provided below.

Note: The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in North America, with the winner yet to be determined.

FIFA World Cup List of Winners

Every four years, the FIFA Football World Cup is held. You can improve your general sports knowledge by reviewing the FIFA World Cup winners list. Below is a complete overview of the FIFA World Cup winners, runners-up, hosting nation, total teams, top goal scorer, and match information. Let’s look at the winners of the FIFA World Cup Winners from 1930 to 2025.

FIFA World Cup 2022 Points Table

FIFA World Cup Winning List Country-wise

Brazil has emerged as the most successful soccer country if we are talking about the FIFA World Cup’s best or most successful football team. Italy and Germany both won the FIFA football World Cup four times, keeping Brazil as the only country with five trophies. From its establishment in 1930 until 2025, only eight teams have won the FIFA World Cup. The eight teams Brazil, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, France, Argentina, England, and Spain comprise the FIFA World Cup Winners List. Let’s look at the list of countries that won the World Cup from 1930 to 2025.

List of Winners of FIFA World Cup 1930 to 2025

Below is a detailed analysis of the FIFA World Cup winners by year from 1930 to 2025.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Countries List

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32-team format. As of March 2025, the qualification process is ongoing, and the final list of participating nations has not been determined. However, three countries have automatically qualified as hosts:

• Canada (CONCACAF)
• Mexico (CONCACAF)
• United States (CONCACAF)

The remaining 45 spots will be filled through continental qualification tournaments. Each confederation has been allocated a specific number of slots:

• AFC (Asia): 8 slots
• CAF (Africa): 9 slots
• CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean): 6 slots (including the 3 host nations)
• CONMEBOL (South America): 6 slots
• OFC (Oceania): 1 slot
• UEFA (Europe): 16 slots
• Intercontinental Play-offs: 2 slots

Sharing is caring!