The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed it has opened an investigation into DR Congo’s use of ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a move that could reopen Nigeria’s path to the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
DR Congo knocked Nigeria out of the African play-offs in November after a 4–3 penalty shoot-out win in Morocco, ending the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the FIFA intercontinental play-off.
The Congolese side was later granted a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are due to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
However, that spot could now be under threat following concerns raised by the NFF over the eligibility of several DR Congo players fielded during the African play-offs.
Reports indicate that between six and nine players who switched national allegiance may not have fully met eligibility requirements under Congolese law before representing the country.
Although FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the basis that they held valid DR Congo passports, it is alleged they failed to formally renounce their previous nationalities, contrary to the country’s constitution, which does not permit dual citizenship.
A senior NFF official confirmed that the federation has formally submitted its case to FIFA, noting that DR Congo’s constitution does not allow dual nationality and that this forms the basis of the complaint.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that the federation has challenged the players’ switch, stating that while FIFA cleared the players based on passport possession, the approval may have been granted on incomplete or misleading information.
According to the NFF, the issue is not FIFA’s role in enforcing domestic laws but whether the process used to clear the players was flawed.
The development has renewed Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, having missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
DR Congo has qualified for the FIFA World Cup only once, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.
