The Nigeria Football Federation has formally petitioned FIFA over the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DR Congo) alleged fielding of ineligible players during the African World Cup playoffs held in Morocco.
After regulation and extra time ended 1-1, DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties in the African playoff final for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
The victory propels DR Congo to the inter-confederation playoffs, where they will face the winner of the Jamaica vs. New Caledonia tie for a place at next year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Reports indicate that several players who featured for DR Congo in the playoffs are foreign-born and were only recently cleared to represent the country.
Under Congolese law, dual nationality is not recognized. Children born abroad to Congolese parents may hold dual citizenship only until the age of 21, after which they are required to renounce one nationality.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi accused the DR Congo Football Association of misleading FIFA to gain clearance for players whose status violates Congolese citizenship laws.
Sanusi said that “you cannot have dual nationality,” yet multiple members of the Leopards squad who faced Nigeria reportedly hold both European and Congolese passports.
Sanusi described the actions of DR Congo’s football authorities as “fraudulent,” noting that the players should never have been eligible for selection.
He explained that FIFA approved the players based on its own eligibility rules, which differ from DR Congo’s internal laws.
“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 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.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles are in Egypt preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
As part of their AFCON preparations, Nigeria faced Egypt in a friendly, suffering a 2-1 defeat. The Super Eagles will compete in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in this year’s tournament.
