Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been handed a potential lifeline following confirmation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that it has lodged a formal complaint over the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo during the African play-offs.

 

The NFF revealed that it has initiated a probe into DR Congo’s squad selection after reports emerged that several players fielded by the Congolese side may not have met eligibility requirements under the country’s domestic laws. If upheld, the complaint could reopen Nigeria’s pathway to the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

 

DR Congo eliminated the Super Eagles from the African play-offs in November after a 4–3 victory on penalties in Morocco, a result that brought Nigeria’s qualification campaign to an abrupt end and ruled them out of contention for the FIFA intercontinental play-off.

 

Following that victory, DR Congo were granted a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are due to face the winner of the semi-final clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, their place at that stage is now under scrutiny.

 

According to reports, between six and nine DR Congo players who switched national allegiance may not have fully complied with the eligibility procedures required by Congolese law prior to representing the country. While FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the basis of valid DR Congo passports, concerns have been raised that they failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships.

 

DR Congo’s constitution does not permit dual nationality, a provision the NFF believes was breached during the qualification process.

 

“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 formally challenged the eligibility of the players involved.

 

“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,” he added. “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 development has reignited optimism within Nigerian football circles, with the Super Eagles facing the prospect of missing consecutive World Cups after failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

 

DR Congo, for their part, have qualified for the FIFA World Cup only once, making their sole appearance in 1974 when the country competed under the name Zaire.