The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally petitioned FIFA over allegations that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) fielded ineligible players during their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff encounter.
Speaking with journalists at an event on Tuesday, Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, accused the Congolese FA of deceiving FIFA into clearing players for its national team despite their status contravening the country’s citizenship laws.
Sanusi said DR Congo laws established that “you cannot have dual nationality”, adding that several members of the Leopards squad at the playoffs have both European and Congolese passports.
He said the DR Congo FA was “fraudulent” in its registration of the players, and the NFF has submitted a petition to FIFA to investigate the matter.
“FIFA cleared the players because FIFA’s eligibility rule is different from DR Congo’s rule. FIFA regulations say that once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible,” Sanusi said.
“But our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. Because it is not the responsibility of FIFA to ensure that the regulations of DR Congo are being abided by. It was on the basis of what was presented to FIFA that the players were cleared. But we are saying it was fraudulent.”
The Super Eagles were eliminated from the World Cup qualifying race after losing to DR Congo on penalties in the decisive playoff for Africa’s intercontinental qualifying spot. The tie ended 1–1 after extra time before DR Congo prevailed in the shootout.
Following the victory, the Congolese qualified for the inter-confederational playoffs, where they have been paired against the winners of the match between Jamaica and New Caledonia. The final of the final game will grab one of the final tickets for the World Cup.
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