iDeemlawfulThe Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that it has initiated a probe into DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a development that could reopen Nigeria’s route to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to reports.
DR Congo knocked Nigeria out of the African play-offs in November after edging the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties in Morocco, a result that ended Nigeria’s bid to advance to the FIFA intercontinental play-off.
The Congolese team has since been granted a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are due to meet the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
However, their place at that stage may now be uncertain following concerns raised by the NFF regarding the eligibility of some DR Congo players fielded during the African play-offs.
Reports indicate that between six and nine DR Congo players who changed national allegiance may not have fully met eligibility requirements under Congolese law before representing the country.
Although FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the grounds that they held valid DR Congo passports, it is alleged that they did not formally renounce their previous citizenships, contrary to the country’s constitution, which prohibits dual nationality.
“NFF has done the needful,” a member of the federation’s executive board told PUNCH Online.
“Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring. Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA as well.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that the federation has challenged the players’ switch.
“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said. “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, others Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.
“FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared,” Sanusi explained. “But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent.”
The situation has reignited Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The country had earlier faced the prospect of missing consecutive World Cups after failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
DR Congo, for their part, have featured at the FIFA World Cup only once, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.
