FIFA Reschedules the DR Congo Federation Elections to May

The roadmap to restoring stability within the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) has hit a new detour.

FIFA has officially extended the mandate of the current Normalization Committee until April 15, 2026, pushing the highly anticipated elective congress from March to May 2026.

While delays in football governance often spark frustration, the World Governing Body’s decision is rooted in a quality over speed approach. The shift is designed to ensure that when the DR Congo finally goes to the polls, the process is beyond reproach—both administratively and financially.

At the heart of the postponement are financial and operational constraints. Reports indicate that FECOFA is currently navigating a complex web of unresolved financial issues, including outstanding disputes with the federation’s former equipment supplier. Furthermore, the absence of fully functional, streamlined bank accounts has made it difficult to secure and deploy the necessary funding for a nationwide election.

To maintain stability, the Normalization Committee—currently led by Belinda Luntadila Nzuzi—will remain at the helm through mid-April. Their primary task is to finalize reforms that will safeguard the integrity of the vote.

Once the committee’s mandate concludes on April 15, the federation’s Secretary General, Lily Tshimpumpu, will step in to manage day-to-day operations. This transitional phase will act as a bridge, allowing FIFA to finalize a framework that cleans up the federation’s finances before the final ballots are cast.

Before the main FECOFA executive committee is elected in May, several national bodies—including the professional, youth, and women’s leagues—must first hold their own elections.

This bottom-up approach is intended to flush out years of administrative uncertainty and ensure that the new leadership inherits a transparent office.