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Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) launches probe into DR Congo players’ eligibility during 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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Six to nine Congolese players may have breached domestic nationality laws despite FIFA clearance.
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Nigeria’s qualification path reopened, pending outcome of the investigation.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed an investigation into DR Congo’s use of potentially ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-offs, a development that could reopen Nigeria’s path to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
DR Congo eliminated Nigeria in November via a 4–3 penalty shootout in Morocco, ending the Super Eagles’ hopes of advancing to the FIFA intercontinental play-off. However, the NFF has raised concerns over the eligibility of six to nine Congolese players who switched national allegiance.
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Reports suggest that while FIFA cleared these players based on valid DR Congo passports, they may have failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships, violating the Central African nation’s constitutional ban on dual nationality.
An NFF executive board member told PUNCH Online that the loophole is being explored, with relevant legal documents already submitted to FIFA. NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi stated that FIFA rules focus on passports, not domestic regulations, implying the players’ clearance might have been fraudulent.
The development raises Nigeria’s prospects of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, after missing both the 2022 and 2026 tournaments initially. DR Congo has only appeared once at the FIFA World Cup, in 1974, when it was known as Zaire.
The NFF has now officially petitioned FIFA, asserting that DR Congo violated its nationality laws, which could result in Nigeria regaining its place in the intercontinental play-off.
