Nigeria claims DR Congo has used ineligible players in the African qualifier for the 2026 World Cup

Nigeria has filed a petition with FIFA alleging that the Democratic Republic of Congo has used ineligible players in the African qualifier for next year’s World Cup, a spokesperson for the federation (NFF) said.

DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties last month to keep alive its hopes of appearing at the tournament in North America, and will compete in an inter-confederation play-off in March where six teams will chase two places in the 48-team final.

The NFF said several players with dual nationality had been allowed to play for DR Congo without meeting the required criteria.

“Congolese rules say you cannot have dual nationality,” NFF Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi told reporters.

“There are so many who have European passports, some French passports, some Dutch passports.

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“The FIFA rules say that once you have your country’s passport, you are eligible. As far as we are concerned, they are eligible and that is why they have been approved by FIFA.

“But our position is that FIFA has been misled into releasing them because it is not FIFA’s responsibility to ensure that Congo’s rules are followed.

“FIFA has its own rules and it was on the basis of what was submitted to FIFA that they approved them.

“But we say it was fraudulent.”

The DR Congo federation rejected the accusations.

“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win through the back door,” the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) said in a social media post.

«The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence. Not with lawyer tricks. Bring it on.»

Outside business hours, FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Published on December 18, 2025