The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has petitioned FIFA over DR Congo for allegedly fielding ineligible players during the CAF playoff final against the Super Eagles in the race for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The move has reignited Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup, with the NFF claiming that DR Congo breached FIFA and national eligibility rules in the decisive playoff encounter.
In November, DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles on penalties to secure Africa’s ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
However, fresh reports suggest the Congolese side could face sanctions from FIFA ahead of the playoffs, scheduled for March 2026.
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According to the claims, six DR Congo players who switched nationality allegedly failed to complete the full eligibility process.
It is alleged that they did not formally renounce their previous citizenships, a requirement under Congolese law, as the country does not recognise dual nationality.
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Further concerns centre on players reportedly holding European passports and being over the age of 21, conditions that could place them in breach of FIFA’s eligibility rules.
NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi disclosed that a formal petition has been submitted to FIFA challenging the eligibility of the players involved.
“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality. Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, some Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition,” Sanusi said, as quoted in The Guardian.
He explained that FIFA’s initial clearance of the players was based on documentation submitted by DR Congo, but Nigeria believes the process may have been compromised.
“That’s why FIFA cleared them. FIFA rules say once you have the passport of your country, you’re eligible. As far as FIFA is concerned, they were eligible, and that’s why they were cleared,” Sanusi said.
“But our concern now is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to ensure that the regulations of Congo are followed. FIFA goes by its own regulations, based on what was submitted. What we are saying is that it was fraudulent,” Sanusi added.
The matter is now before FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, and a decision is expected before the Intercontinental Playoffs begin in March 2026. Should the NFF prevail, the Super Eagles would replace DR Congo in the final hunt for the 2026 World Cup ticket in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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