Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been reignited following reports that DR Congo may face sanctions for using ineligible players.
In November, DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles on penalties to secure Africa’s spot in the Intercontinental Playoffs. However, claims have emerged that several DR Congo players who switched nationalities did not complete the necessary eligibility procedures. Because DR Congo does not recognize dual citizenship, these players may have violated FIFA rules by failing to formally renounce their previous nationalities.
Further allegations suggest some of the players who appeared in the playoff match were over 21 but still held passports from other countries, making them ineligible under FIFA regulations.
According to SCORENigeria, the case against DR Congo could be stronger than a similar incident in which South Africa were penalized for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho. A petition has reportedly been filed challenging DR Congo’s eligibility, offering the Super Eagles a potential path back to the World Cup provided the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico have not yet taken place.