Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been revived following a formal petition by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenging the eligibility of several players fielded by DR Congo during the African play-offs.
The Super Eagles were knocked out of the qualifiers in November after losing 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo in Morocco, a result that ended Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the FIFA intercontinental play-off for the tournament scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, the Congolese team’s progression is now under scrutiny after the NFF raised concerns over the eligibility status of between six and nine DR Congo players who reportedly switched national allegiance before the play-offs.
According to reports, while FIFA cleared the players on the basis of valid DR Congo passports, the NFF argues that the players failed to comply with Congolese constitutional requirements, which prohibit dual nationality. It is alleged that the players did not formally renounce their previous citizenships before representing the country.
Confirming the development, a senior NFF executive said the federation had taken the necessary steps to pursue the matter with FIFA.
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 have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA, the official said.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that Nigeria has formally faulted the nationality switch process.
We are waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality, Sanusi said. Some of the players hold European passports French, Dutch and others. While FIFA rules recognize eligibility once a passport is issued, our position is that FIFA was misled into granting clearance.
He added that enforcing domestic nationality laws falls outside FIFA’s direct responsibilities, noting that the global body acts based on documents submitted by national federations.
“What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent,” Sanusi stated.
DR Congo had been granted 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. That position could now be reviewed depending on FIFA’s findings.
The development has renewed optimism in Nigeria, which risks missing back-to-back World Cup tournaments after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar.
DR Congo have qualified for the FIFA World Cup only once, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.
