The Democratic Republic of Congo has issued a firm response to Nigeria’s formal petition to FIFA, challenging the eligibility of certain Leopards players during the 2026 World Cup playoff, cautioning the Nigeria Football Federation against attempting to claim victory off the field.
The NFF confirmed that it had officially written to FIFA, questioning the compliance of some Congolese players who featured in the match that ended Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes.
DR Congo ultimately beat the Super Eagles on penalties in November, securing Africa’s slot in the Intercontinental Playoffs.
In a post shared on the national team’s official X account, DR Congo dismissed the allegations, accusing Nigeria of seeking to overturn the result administratively.
“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence, not with legal tricks. Bring it on,” the post read.
The NFF’s petition reportedly centers on claims that several DR Congo players who switched national allegiance may not have fully met FIFA’s eligibility rules, particularly concerning dual nationality, a status not recognised under Congolese law.
Confirming Nigeria’s protest, NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi explained that the concerns were formally raised with FIFA regarding potential violations of nationality regulations.
“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have a dual citizenship or nationality. Wan-Bissaka has a European passport, there are some of them that have French passports, some of them Dutch passports,” Sanusi said. “The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”
Sanusi added that FIFA’s prior clearance of the players relied on information provided by DR Congo, which Nigeria believes may not have been entirely accurate.
“That’s why FIFA cleared them. FIFA rules say once you have passports of your country, you’re eligible, as far as FIFA is concerned,” he said. “But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them.”
The petition has sparked divided opinions among Nigerian football journalists. Veteran reporter Oma Akatugba questioned the strength of the case, noting that Cameroon had initially filed a similar protest before Nigeria joined.
“There’s a rumour flying around that DR Congo may be disqualified from the FIFA World Cup playoffs because they fielded ineligible players. How true is that? Yes, the rumour is true,” Akatugba said in a video shared on Instagram. “Who filed the petition? It was Cameroon. Nigeria, having lost to DR Congo in the final, saw it as an opportunity and latched onto it.”
Akatugba argued that FIFA’s jurisdiction focuses on sporting eligibility rather than domestic nationality laws.
“What FIFA concerns itself with is whether players, as at the time they played, presented that country’s passport,” he said. “Did the players present a DR Congo passport when they played? Yes. So how they are ineligible is beyond me.”
He further noted, “FIFA clearance only confirms sporting eligibility. FIFA does not issue passports. FIFA does not control immigration or citizenship timelines. Based on this, I don’t think Nigeria has a strong case.”
Conversely, journalist Osasu Obayuwana offered a different perspective, suggesting serious consequences could await DR Congo. Responding to a question on X comparing the matter to the Emilio Nsue case involving Equatorial Guinea, Obayuwana wrote:
“Knowing what I know, Nigeria has a very strong case. DR Congo are in big trouble.”
FIFA has not yet released an official response to the petition. If the world football body rules in Nigeria’s favour, the Super Eagles could potentially be reinstated in the Intercontinental Playoffs, assuming the matches are still pending.
