NFF petitions FIFA over DR Congo’s ‘ineligible players’ in World Cup playoffs

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo of fielding ineligible players during the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup.

The NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Tuesday.

Sanui stated that the Congolese Football Association provided misleading information to FIFA, allowing players who violated DR Congo’s nationality laws to participate.

“DR Congo law does not recognise dual nationality. Several players on the Leopards squad hold both Congolese and European passports, which makes them ineligible under Congolese regulations,” the NFF official said.

He described the registration of these players as “fraudulent,” adding that FIFA was misled, since the international body cleared the players based on the documentation provided.

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“FIFA’s rules consider a valid passport sufficient for eligibility. Our concern is that the DR Congo FA presented false information,” Sanusi said.

DR Congo eliminated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in the playoff final and now moves to the inter-confederation playoffs, facing the winner of Jamaica and New Caledonia for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

Under Congolese law, children born abroad to Congolese parents can hold dual citizenship only until age 21, after which they must renounce any foreign nationality.

Several players in DR Congo’s playoff squad fall within this category.

The Star