The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed it has launched an investigation into DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a move that could potentially reopen Nigeria’s route to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, NEWSCLICKNG Online reports.
Nigeria were knocked out of the African play-offs by DR Congo in November after losing 4–3 on penalties in Morocco, a defeat that brought the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the FIFA intercontinental play-off to an end.
Following that result, DR Congo were granted automatic passage to the final of the intercontinental play-off, where they are due to meet the winner of the semi-final clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
That place in the final is now under question after the NFF raised concerns about the eligibility of a number of DR Congo players used during the African play-offs.
According to reports, between six and nine Congolese players who changed national allegiance may not have satisfied all eligibility conditions under Congolese law before turning out for the country.
Although FIFA is said to have approved the players because they held valid DR Congo passports, it is claimed they did not officially renounce their previous nationalities, which would breach the country’s constitution that forbids 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 has challenged the players’ change of nationality.
“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 added. “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.”
The situation has renewed Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, having previously faced the prospect of missing consecutive tournaments after also failing to reach the 2022 edition in Qatar.
DR Congo have appeared at the FIFA World Cup just once, in 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire.
