US EditionCongo-Kinshasa/Nigeria: DR Congo Throw Jab At Nigeria for Trying to Reach the World Cup Through 'Back Door'
Nigerian Football Federation alleges up to nine DR Congo players were ineligible due to nationality switch issues and seeks to overturn playoff loss, reopening World Cup qualification hopes.
- On December 16, 2025, the Nigerian Football Federation filed a complaint to FIFA alleging up to nine ineligible players were used by Congo DR in the Nov. 16 playoff.
- The NFF says several Congo DR players switched international allegiance without proper legal clearance under Congolese law and alleges FIFA was deceived into clearing them.
- Procedural differences between FIFA regulations and Congolese law are highlighted by FIFA clearing Congo DR players based on holding valid passports, while reports say some held European passports and obtained Congolese paperwork in three months.
- FIFA is now investigating and a ruling is expected before the March intercontinental playoffs, which NFF officials say could reopen the Super Eagles' route to the 2026 World Cup.
- NFF officials say they have submitted their protest to FIFA, noting the NFF joins Cameroon, which filed a similar complaint, while an ex-DRC coach called Nigeria's 'voodoo' accusations 'nonsense'.
46 Articles
46 Articles
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged an official complaint with the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
Does the DR Congo lose its starting position in the 2026 World Cup playoff tournament? Possible! Nigeria has filed a complaint, because allegedly not eligible kickers were used in the African qualification. The chances for a World Cup participation of the DR Congo seemed quite good. Because on 31 March the national football team of the country was supposed to play against the winner of the duel Jamaica against New Caledonia for a World Cup ticke…
The draw for the FIFA World Cup has been held, and the remaining six national teams that will play in Canada, Mexico and the USA in the summer of 2026 will be announced in March.
Congo-Kinshasa/Nigeria: DR Congo Throw Jab At Nigeria for Trying to Reach the World Cup Through 'Back Door'
Democratic Republic of Congo have responded to claims that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has petition FIFA over the Leopards use of nine players ineligible for the World Cup Playoffs in Morocco.
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