When a team qualifies for FIFA World Cup or any FIFA competition but later becomes unable to take part, FIFA has established procedures to ensure the tournament continues with minimal disruption.
Situations such as bans, political conflicts, health concerns, sanctions, or withdrawals can force a qualified nation out of a competition even after securing a spot.
With reports suggesting Democratic Republic of the Congo could risk missing the World Cup over strict travel and health protocols, attention has turned to what FIFA normally does when a qualified team cannot participate.
Replacement team usually selected
In most cases, FIFA replaces the affected nation with another team rather than reducing the number of participants in the tournament.
