By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
There are indications that Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) may after all forfeit the sole ticket to represent Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental mini-tournament slated for Mexico in March for breaching the FIFA player’s eligibility rules governing the competitions.
This is even as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has confirmed to Prompt News that Nigeria has officially submitted a petition to world football ruling body FIFA challenging the participation of some of the the players DR Congo Football Association paraded against Nigeria when both countries clashed in the final of the World Cup African playoff match last November in Morocco.
Recall that DR Congo extended their bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals holding in United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico by upsetting Nigeria 4-3 on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-off final in Rabat on November 16, 2025.
Following the end of CAF playoff final, the NFF officially wrote to FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded players who were not legally eligible to represent the country.
Not satisfied with the involvement of these diaspora players in the Congolese team and convinced that most of the DR Congo’s players, including England-based defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka were not properly cleared to feature in the playoff match, NFF lodged a petition to FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
According to Sanusi, it is true that Nigeria sent petition to FIFA to investigate the discrepancies discovered in the paperwork of the DR Congo players with dual nationality, pointing out that the NFF is currently waiting to hear the outcome of the petition from FIFA.
Said he: “Yes, I can confirm to you that it is true that we (NFF) petitioned FIFA after discovering that DR Congo FA breached FIFA’s competition rule by fielding ineligible players during our World Cup African Playoff defeat. We’re waiting for FIFA’s response.
The Congolese rules say you cannot have a dual citizenship or nationality. Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; there are some of them that have French passports, some of them Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”
Speaking further, Sanusi explained that FIFA’s clearance of the players was based on documentation provided by DR Congo, but Nigeria believes the process may have been compromised.
“That’s why FIFA cleared them. FIFA rules say once you have passports of your country, you’re eligible, as far as FIFA is concerned, they are eligible and that’s why they were cleared. But right now, our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not the responsibility of FIFA to ensure that the regulations of Congo are followed. FIFA goes by its own regulations, and it was on the basis of what was submitted to FIFA that they cleared them. What we are saying is that it was fraudulent and should be punished by FIFA”, he argued.
With the matter now before FIFA to determine whether DR Congo breached eligibility rules, many Nigerians are cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the case and should Nigeria’s petition succeed, the Super Eagles could be reinstated into contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff scheduled to take place in Mexico in March 2026, provided the fixtures have not already been played.
However, Nigeria’s petition is likely to succeed because Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code- Falsification & Forgery is very clear on the eligibility criteria for the change of citizenship by players.
For this reason, if a player’s nationality is later found to have been fraudulently acquired, FIFA withdraws its clearance, declares the player ineligible, and moves straight to sanctions.
This is exactly the situation the NFF is asking FIFA to investigate and if FIFA’s investigation confirms those claims, the consequences could be devastating, not just for the players involved, but for DR Congo’s entire 2026 World Cup campaign.
Facts why DR Congo will lose her 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff spot after Nigeria’s petition to FIFA’s long-standing zero tolerance for eligibility fraud just as under DR Congo’s own Constitution, nationality is not something that can be rushed or improvised.
For example, foreigners can only become Congolese through clearly defined processes, including naturalization, marriage, option, or adoption, and even then, only when the state determines that the decision is in its national interest.
Also, the final approval is not automatic; it must pass through the Congolese National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the President of the Republic.
In simple terms, a passport alone is not enough as naturalization, for example, requires: (1) • Proven good character (2) • No serious criminal convictions (3)
(4) • At least seven years of residence (or five years of permanent residency (5) • Evidence that the applicant’s citizenship serves a real national interest
Most importantly, DR Congo does not recognize dual nationality, except for a very narrow exception that applies only to children born abroad-and only until they turn 21, after which one nationality must be renounced.
These strict rules matter because if any player’s nationality was obtained outside them, everything else collapses.
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Finally, FIFA clears players based on documents submitted by national associations. That clearance is done in good faith. But it is not permanent or untouchable.
Once fraud or falsification is suspected, FIFA steps in, especially as it affects Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code- Falsification & Forgery.
If a player’s nationality is later found to have been fraudulently acquired, FIFA withdraws its clearance, declares the player ineligible, and moves straight to sanctions.
FIFA’s disciplinary framework leaves little room for sympathy.
If ineligible player(s) featured in the match these series of sanctions are triggered. They include:
• Their eligibility is immediately cancelled
• The players face lengthy bans, often at least 12 months
• The national association faces heavy fines
• Matches are forfeited, usually recorded as 3–0 losses
• In serious cases, teams can be expelled from competitions
Where forged government documents are involved, the matter can even go beyond football and trigger criminal investigations.
