World Cup Qualifier in Doubt: Morocco-Congo Match Faces Uncertainty

Will the confrontation between Morocco and Congo take place? Recent statements by the Congolese Minister of Youth and Sports raise fears of a forfeit by the Congolese team. Congo has already forfeited the match against Niger. "At first, we had agreed to relocate our matches to the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically to the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, because our main stadium in Brazzaville was not ready," explains Hugues Ngouélondélé. "However, we have made strenuous efforts to repair it and restore it, the pitch is excellent, and the work was completed at the end of May. We have therefore sent a request to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA to approve our Alphonse-Massamba-Débat stadium in Brazzaville, and we have obtained the green light, we have therefore asked the national team of Niger to come and play the match in Brazzaville on Thursday, June 6, but they refused, claiming that they have been installed in Kinshasa for a few days and that they cannot make the trip to Brazzaville, even though it is not far from Kinshasa."

Faced with Niger’s refusal, Congo is intransigent. "As a result, the Congolese national team will not go and play in Kinshasa," says the Congolese minister. "We are forfeiting, because Congo is a country of words and when we give our word, we respect it. When we are faced with a situation that does not correspond to our values, we do not budge, and consequently we will not play the match." But Congo will pay dearly if things remain as they are. The Congolese national team, which has only played one match so far against Zambia (2-4), will not only lose all the points, but will also be fined and eliminated from the race for the 2026 World Cup.