Nigeria has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, claiming that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) fielded ineligible players during last month’s African World Cup play-off final. The Super Eagles are seeking a reprieve after losing to DR Congo on penalties, which confirmed the Leopards’ spot in March’s intercontinental qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Allegations Over Player Eligibility
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) argues that several players who recently switched international allegiance to DR Congo, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, were ineligible to play.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi stated:
“Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. The Congolese law says you cannot have dual nationality, but some of their players hold European and French passports. There is what we consider to be a breach of FIFA regulations. We are saying it was fraudulent.”
The NFF has submitted supporting legal documents and arguments to FIFA for review.
DR Congo Rejects the Claim
The Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) has dismissed the complaint, describing it as an attempt to “win via the back door.” Their official statement emphasized:
“The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence. Not with lawyers’ tricks.”
Fecofa also criticized Nigeria for being “bad losers”, framing the complaint as unsportsmanlike conduct rather than a legitimate regulatory issue.
FIFA Rules on Player Nationality
FIFA statutes allow a player to change national association only once, and the process must be approved by the FIFA Players’ Status Committee. Players are required to hold a passport from the nation they wish to represent, but multiple passports are generally permissible.
However, Congolese law prohibits dual nationality, which is central to Nigeria’s claim.
Possible FIFA Outcomes
When FIFA receives a formal protest, there are several possible outcomes:
- Dismissal: FIFA may find the NFF’s evidence insufficient, leaving DR Congo’s qualification intact.
- Investigation and Administrative Sanction: If FIFA identifies breaches, the DR Congo federation could face fines or warnings, but match results may remain unchanged.
- Sporting Sanctions: In severe cases, FIFA or the Confederation of African Football could order a forfeit, award the match to the other team, or deduct points. Historically, sporting sanctions occur only when there is clear and material evidence of misrepresentation or falsification.
Recent Precedents
- Equatorial Guinea (2026 qualifiers): Deducted six points after captain Emilio Nsue was found ineligible due to previous appearances for Spain’s youth teams. The decision was later partially reversed, but points were not fully restored.
- South Africa vs Lesotho (2026 qualifiers): South Africa’s win was overturned after their opponents fielded a suspended player, awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho.
Next Steps
Nigeria hopes FIFA will investigate quickly to determine whether DR Congo’s players were eligible and if the match outcome should be revised. The intercontinental playoff in March remains pivotal, as the winners will claim one of the final spots in the 2026 World Cup.
The BBC has contacted FIFA for comment and is awaiting a response.
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