Footage of Congo’s Under 20 Women’s National Soccer Team that shows them practicing on dirt roads with cars and motorbikes passing by has been circulating social media. The drill is interrupted when a yellow van drives down the road between the players. Many may say that conditions like these are not out of the norm in their country. But this wasn’t just an ordinary practice, this was a practice or warm up right before the Under 20 World Cup Qualifier match.

This is a big threat for FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, which has promised equality for its participants but is quite obviously not following through with it. The Congolese Federation of Football Association said that “player welfare is a top priority for FIFA,” and that they “have taken immediate steps with authorities in the country.” There is a concern of whether or not FIFA was aware of these practicing conditions.

The Congolese team went on to lose in the World Cup qualifier match 4-0 to Cameroon on September 25th. Later on October 12th, FIFPRO released footage of the women sleeping outside in tracksuits because they were kicked out of their hotel because the Congolese FA didn’t pay for it. So the question remains: how is it equal for the Congolese team to experience these conditions, while more “well-off” countries, such as the United States, receive unconditional support from teammates, managers, dieticians, personal trainers, and daily practice? Or that the female players of the Congo have long been underrepresented and underfunded?

The women of the Congolese team are back at their homes now. Thankfully, the Congolese Player Union is writing a formal complaint to the Congolese FA about the treatment they have been getting. Time, and pressure on big organizations such as FIFA and the Congolese FA, can improve the treatment of soccer players in Congo.