Nigeria’s World Cup Dream Alive As FIFA Probes DR Congo Player Eligibility

Nigeria’s World Cup Dream Alive As FIFA Probes DR Congo Player Eligibility.
Alleged dual citizenship breaches could affect Congo’s qualification.
Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes receive fresh boost.

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that it has opened an investigation into DR Congo’s use of allegedly ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a move that could revive Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

DR Congo knocked Nigeria out of the African play offs in November after winning 4 to 3 on penalties in Morocco, a result that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the FIFA intercontinental play off.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Congolese team was subsequently handed a bye into the final of the intercontinental play off tournament, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi final between New Caledonia and Jamaica.

However, their place at that stage could now be under threat following concerns raised by the NFF over the eligibility of several players fielded by DR Congo during the African play offs.

Reports indicate that between six and nine DR Congo players who switched national allegiance may not have fully complied with eligibility requirements under Congolese law before representing the country.

While FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the basis that they possessed valid DR Congo passports, the NFF alleges that the players failed to formally renounce their previous nationalities, contrary to the country’s constitution which does not permit dual citizenship.

“NFF has done the needful,” a member of the federation’s executive board told PUNCH Online.

“Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play off. That is the loophole we are exploring. Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA as well.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that the federation had formally challenged the players’ eligibility.

“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said. “Wan Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, others Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.

“FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared,” he explained. “But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent.”