Nigeria’s hopes of a return to the FIFA World Cup remain alive as world football’s governing body continues to scrutinise the eligibility of players fielded by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) during the African playoffs for the 2026 tournament.
The controversy has been reportedly confirmed by multiple sources that FIFA is actively investigating a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), AhotorSports has learnt.
The probe focuses on allegations that between six and nine DR Congo players who switched international allegiances—many holding European passports (British, French, or Dutch)—did not fully comply with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitutional ban on dual citizenship for adults.
Under Congolese law, individuals must formally renounce any prior nationality to acquire full Congolese citizenship, a step reportedly skipped by several players despite them possessing valid Congolese passports.
FIFA’s standard eligibility rules generally accept a valid passport as sufficient proof for representation, which is why the players were initially cleared based on documentation submitted by the Congolese federation (FECOFA).
However, the NFF contends that this documentation was misleading or fraudulent, as FIFA does not routinely verify compliance with a country’s internal citizenship laws.
NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi emphasized this point, stating that while FIFA relies on submitted evidence, the alleged failure to renounce prior citizenships violated DR Congo’s domestic requirements, potentially rendering the players ineligible.
One prominently mentioned player is Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the former Manchester United defender who switched from England to DR Congo earlier in 2025.
Other affected players are believed to include those with French or Dutch ties who were over 21 at the time of their switch, a threshold after which dual nationality is explicitly prohibited under Congolese rules.
The issue traces back to the African playoff final on November 16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, where DR Congo defeated Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time.
Frank Onyeka scored early for Nigeria, but Meschack Elia equalized, setting the stage for a tense shootout won by DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba’s decisive kick.
That victory earned DR Congo Africa’s slot in the March 2026 intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, where they received a bye to the final against the winner of New Caledonia vs. Jamaica, competing for one of the last two spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup.
If FIFA upholds the NFF’s protest and deems the players ineligible, potential sanctions could include forfeiting matches (effectively awarding the playoff to Nigeria) or disqualifying DR Congo entirely.
This would reinstate Nigeria into the intercontinental playoffs, reviving their hopes of reaching the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—especially critical after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Outright expulsion is viewed as unlikely, but the ongoing investigation has placed DR Congo’s advancement in jeopardy.
As of December 16, 2025, no final verdict has been issued, and Nigeria remains on standby. The outcome could reshape the African qualification picture, with FIFA expected to rule before the intercontinental fixtures to minimize further disruption.