According to multiple media reports, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filed a complaint with FIFA, accusing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) of fielding up to 9 ineligible players during last month’s World Cup qualifying play-offs. Nigeria aims to reignite its hopes of qualifying for the World Cup through this action.
In the November CAF World Cup qualifying play-offs, Nigeria drew 1-1 with DR Congo in regular time and lost 3-4 on penalties, missing out on the 2026 World Cup. DR Congo, meanwhile, advanced to the intercontinental play-offs.
The NFF now claims that 6 to 9 players in DR Congo’s squad may have changed their citizenship but failed to complete the process of renouncing their original European passports in accordance with DR Congo’s laws.
Muhammad Sanusi, Secretary-General of the NFF, stated: “DR Congo’s regulations explicitly prohibit dual citizenship. Many of their players hold European passports—Aaron Wan-Bissaka has a European passport, and others have French or Dutch ones… the rules are very clear.
“We are not in a position to disclose more details at this time, but we have submitted a protest to FIFA. Some players obtained federation contracts in just three months, so to us, this constitutes a violation of regulations, which is why we are protesting.”
FIFA’s regulations generally only require players to hold a passport of the country they represent to be eligible to play. It remains unclear whether this appeal will succeed, but if DR Congo is indeed disqualified, Nigeria is expected to return to the World Cup through the play-offs.
