The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that it has launched an inquiry into DR Congo’s use of players who may have been ineligible during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The investigation could potentially restore Nigeria’s chance to compete in the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, PUNCH Online reports.
Nigeria was knocked out of the African play-offs in November after DR Congo triumphed 4–3 on penalties in Morocco, ending the Super Eagles’ campaign to reach the FIFA intercontinental play-off.
DR Congo was subsequently granted a place in the final stage of the intercontinental play-off, set to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, doubts have emerged regarding the eligibility of some Congolese players fielded during the African qualifiers.
Reports suggest that six to nine DR Congo players who changed national allegiance may not have fully complied with Congolese law before representing the national team. While FIFA cleared these players because they held DR Congo passports, the players reportedly failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships—a requirement under the country’s constitution, which does not permit dual nationality.
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“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 the federation’s concerns.
“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 rekindled hope for Nigeria’s qualification to the 2026 World Cup, after missing the previous tournament in Qatar and facing the risk of consecutive absences.
DR Congo has only appeared once at the FIFA World Cup, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.