The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally petitioned FIFA over allegations that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) fielded ineligible players during their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash.
At a press event on Tuesday, Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, accused the Congolese Football Association of misleading FIFA into clearing players for its national team, despite their status allegedly violating DR Congo’s citizenship laws.
Sanusi explained that DR Congo’s laws explicitly state “you cannot have dual nationality”, yet several members of the Leopards squad at the playoffs hold both European and Congolese passports. He described the DR Congo FA as “fraudulent” in the registration of these players and confirmed that the NFF has officially submitted a petition requesting FIFA investigate the matter.
“FIFA cleared the players because FIFA’s eligibility rule is different from DR Congo’s rule. FIFA regulations say that once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible,” Sanusi said.
“But our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. Because it is not the responsibility of FIFA to ensure that the regulations of Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)
are being abided by. It was on the basis of what was presented to FIFA that the players were cleared. But we are saying it was fraudulent.”
The controversy comes after the Super Eagles were eliminated from the World Cup qualifying race, following a tense playoff defeat to DR Congo on penalties. The tie ended 1-1 after extra time, with the Congolese side eventually prevailing in the shootout. The loss denied Nigeria a chance to compete at the intercontinental qualifying stage, sparking frustration among players, officials, and fans alike.
With the win, DR Congo advanced to the inter-confederational playoffs, where they are set to face the winner of the match between Jamaica and New Caledonia. The victor of that final clash will secure one of the remaining tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, keeping Nigeria’s World Cup dream on hold.
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Sanusi’s statement underscores a critical distinction between FIFA’s eligibility rules and national laws. While FIFA generally permits players to represent a country if they hold its passport, DR Congo’s strict no-dual nationality legislation creates a conflict that the NFF claims was misrepresented by the Congolese FA. The NFF insists that this discrepancy could constitute a form of fraud that unfairly influenced the outcome of the playoff match.
This development highlights broader challenges in global football, where international governing rules and local citizenship laws occasionally clash. National federations like the NFF must navigate these complexities to ensure fair play, while FIFA faces the responsibility of evaluating eligibility based on the documents and declarations submitted by each country.
The case also raises questions about accountability and transparency in player registration and highlights the growing scrutiny of football authorities in Africa. With millions of fans invested in World Cup qualification, any perceived irregularities can generate significant attention and debate, both locally and internationally.
As the petition makes its way to FIFA, all eyes will be on the organization to determine whether DR Congo’s squad met both international standards and local legal requirements. The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how FIFA navigates similar disputes in the future, especially when national laws conflict with its global eligibility rules.
For now, the Super Eagles and their supporters must grapple with the disappointment of elimination, while the NFF pursues the matter through official channels, hoping for a resolution that ensures fairness and integrity in the World Cup qualifying process. Fans remain anxious to see whether FIFA will take action, potentially altering the course of the intercontinental playoffs.
