Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign has unexpectedly been reignited following claims that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) may be expelled from the competition for fielding ineligible players.
The Super Eagles were initially eliminated in November when DR Congo defeated them on penalties to secure Africa’s ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
However, reports suggest DR Congo now faces potential sanctions from FIFA ahead of the playoffs, which are currently expected to take place in March 2026.
Allegations of Eligibility Failure
The allegations center on several DR Congo players who reportedly failed to meet FIFA’s strict eligibility criteria. Specifically, it is claimed that six players who had switched national allegiance did not formally complete the required citizenship renunciation process. This is a crucial requirement given that DR Congo’s constitution does not recognize dual nationality.
Further allegations state that multiple players who featured in the crucial playoff match were over the age of 21 but still held passports from other countries, rendering them ineligible under specific FIFA statutes.
Strong Prospects for the Petition
The severity of the alleged violations has led to increased optimism within the Nigerian camp. SCORENigeria highlighted the strength of the current case:
“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” the report quoted.
A formal petition concerning the eligibility of the players who participated in the World Cup Playoffs in Morocco has reportedly been submitted. Nigeria’s hopes now hinge on the outcome of FIFA’s investigation.
“There is still hope for the Super Eagles, provided the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico have not been played,” the source concluded.
