FIFA has suspended the Congo Republic's football association (FECOFOOT) and the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), barring both from international competitions, world soccer's governing body said on Thursday.

Islamabad: International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) with immediate effect for failing to adopt a revision of the PFF constitution and pave the way to fair elections from the PFF congress.

The International Football Federation (FIFA) has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) after it failed to make amendments to its constitution which the world body deemed necessary for smooth and just governance of the sport in the country.

FIFA has suspended the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) for the third time since 2017. The suspension was announced on Thursday and comes into effect immediately. Learn why Pakistan football faces another setback.

FIFA had recently intensified its push for constitutional amendments to establish fair elections and ensure proper governance within the PFF.

FIFA has suspended the Congo Republic's and Pakistan's football associations due to violations of statutes. Congo faced issues over third-party interference, while Pakistan's suspension is due to governance concerns.

The ban happened after Pakistan’s football officials refused to accept changes to their rules suggested by FIFA. This is the third time since 2017 that Pakistan has been banned from world football. FIFA says the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) must agree to a new constitution that ensures fair and democratic elections.