NFF PROBES DR CONGO OVER INELIGIBLE PLAYERS, NIGERIA’S 2026 WORLD CUP HOPES REVIVED

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that it has initiated an investigation into the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo during the African play-offs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a development that could reopen Nigeria’s pathway to the tournament.

DR Congo knocked Nigeria out of the qualifiers in November after a dramatic 4–3 penalty shoot-out victory in Morocco, a result that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of advancing to the FIFA intercontinental play-off stage.

Following the victory, the Congolese side was granted a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, their participation at that stage may now be under threat due to concerns raised by the NFF regarding player eligibility.

According to reports, between six and nine players fielded by DR Congo during the African play-offs had switched national allegiance but allegedly failed to fully comply with Congolese nationality laws before representing the country.

While FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the basis that they held valid DR Congo passports, the NFF argues that the players did not formally renounce their previous citizenships. This, the federation noted, contravenes the Congolese constitution, which does not recognise dual nationality.

A member of the NFF executive board confirmed that the federation had formally taken the matter up with FIFA.

“NFF has done the needful. 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,” the official said.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that a petition has been submitted, faulting 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. 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,” he added.

The development has renewed hope for Nigeria, which faces the prospect of missing back-to-back World Cup tournaments after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.

DR Congo, meanwhile, has featured at the FIFA World Cup only once, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.

FIFA is yet to issue an official response to the NFF’s petition as the matter awaits further review.