By Bola Yapa Zed Sports Desk | 17th December 2025
Nigeria have formally challenged the Democratic Republic of Congo’s use of several players they claim were ineligible during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff clash. The complaint, which has been submitted to FIFA by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), comes after DR Congo eliminated the Super Eagles on penalties to advance to the intercontinental playoffs.
Nigeria Lodge Official Protest With FIFA
The NFF, following a similar protest from Cameroon, alleges that DR Congo fielded between six and nine players who were not properly cleared under Congolese nationality laws. Congo beat Nigeria 4–3 on penalties on November 16 to book a place in the FIFA intercontinental playoffs, where they are due to face the winner of New Caledonia versus Jamaica.
Nigeria’s argument is based on Congolese constitutional law, which does not recognize dual citizenship. Reports suggest that several of the players involved were born in Europe and may still hold European passports, a situation the NFF believes violates DR Congo’s own eligibility regulations.
NFF Question Citizenship Process
Speaking to reporters, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi confirmed that the federation has submitted a formal complaint to FIFA, insisting that the eligibility process was flawed.
“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual nationality,” Sanusi said. “There are so many of them that have European passports, some French, some Dutch. The rules are very clear. We have submitted our protest to FIFA.”
Sanusi further questioned the speed at which some players reportedly acquired Congolese citizenship, suggesting that the process may not have complied with domestic regulations.
“There are players that got theirs in just three months. To us, that is considered a breach of the regulation, and that is why we took that decision,” he added.
FIFA Regulations Versus Domestic Law
While DR Congo’s constitution does not allow dual citizenship, FIFA regulations operate under a different framework. Under FIFA rules, a player is eligible to represent a country as long as they hold a valid passport and meet the sporting nationality requirements. All the players involved were cleared by FIFA on the basis of holding Congolese passports.
However, Nigeria insists that FIFA was misled during the clearance process, arguing that the world governing body relies on documentation provided by national associations and does not enforce domestic nationality laws.
“Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi stated. “It is not FIFA’s responsibility to make sure Congolese regulations are abided by. FIFA goes by its own regulations, but what was presented to them was fraudulent.”
DR Congo Respond
Reacting to the claims, DR Congo’s FECOFA Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, dismissed the complaint and defended FIFA’s eligibility criteria. Ilunga stressed that FIFA recognises sporting nationality rather than domestic legal nationality.
“FIFA does not reason in terms of legal nationality but rather in terms of sporting nationality,” Ilunga wrote on X. “If that is the case, I advise you, dear Naija brothers, to focus more on the AFCON.”
Conclusion
FIFA has yet to issue an official ruling on the matter, but reports indicate that the case is under investigation, with a decision expected before the intercontinental playoffs in March. The outcome could have significant implications for DR Congo’s World Cup qualification hopes, while Nigeria await clarity on whether their protest will be upheld.
