Nigeria’s Super Eagles Seek New Route Back into 2026 World Cup Race as NFF Files Formal Complaint to FIFA Over DR Congo’s Alleged Use of Ineligible Players.
Nigeria have launched a last-ditch bid to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after filing an official complaint to FIFA over the alleged use of up to nine ineligible players by DR Congo during last month’s World Cup qualifying playoffs.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has joined Cameroon, who had earlier submitted a similar protest, questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players who were born in Europe but switched international allegiance to represent the Congolese national team.
Super Eagles Painful Playoff Exit Sparks Legal Battle
The Super Eagles’ complaint stems from their exit from the CAF playoffs on November 16, when they lost 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo in the final, following a tense draw in regulation time.
That victory sent DR Congo through to the FIFA intercontinental playoffs, where they have now been drawn to face the winners of the semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
The winner of that tie will contest the final playoff match, with one of the last tickets to the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is at stake.
However, Nigeria are now challenging the legitimacy of DR Congo’s qualification, arguing that several players should not have been eligible to feature in the playoff series.
Allegations of Breach of Congolese Law
According to reports, between six and nine players fielded by DR Congo during the qualifiers may have switched international allegiance without fully complying with Congolese nationality laws, which reportedly do not recognize dual citizenship.
The NFF argues that some of these players retained European passports, including French and Dutch passports.
Also, the players did not formally renounce them before representing DR Congo, which is an alleged breach of the country’s constitution.
NFF General Secretary Speaks Out
NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi confirmed that Nigeria had formally lodged a protest with FIFA, insisting that the matter goes beyond FIFA eligibility rules and into issues of alleged deception.
“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual nationality,” Sanusi told reporters on Tuesday.
“There are so many of them that have European passports, some of them French passports, some of them Dutch passports.”
“The rules are very clear. We cannot say anything now but we have submitted our protest to FIFA.”
“There are players that got theirs in just three months. So there is to us, what is considered as a breach of the regulation.”
“That is why we took that decision.”
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FIFA Rules vs National Law
Under FIFA regulations, a player is eligible to represent a country once they hold a valid passport of that nation.
On that basis, FIFA cleared the DR Congo players in question to feature in the qualifiers, as all reportedly hold Congolese passports.
However, Sanusi insists that FIFA was misled when granting those clearances.
“The FIFA rules are different from DR Congo rules, that is why FIFA cleared them,” he explained.
“FIFA Regulations say once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. As far as we are concerned, they are eligible that is why they are cleared by FIFA.”
“But our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them because it is not the responsibility of FIFA to make sure that the regulations of Congo are abided by.”
“FIFA goes by its own regulations, and it was on the basis of what was presented to FIFA that they cleared them. But we are saying that it was fraudulent.”
FIFA Investigation Underway
FIFA is yet to issue an official response to Nigeria’s complaint, but NFF officials have confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation by world football’s governing body.
According to reports, a ruling is expected before the intercontinental playoffs in March, a timeline that could significantly affect the final qualification picture.
Slim but Significant Hope for Super Eagles
While it remains unclear whether Nigeria’s appeal will succeed, a favourable ruling could reopen the door to World Cup qualification for the Super Eagles.
This will also be the team’s second potential reprieve in the same qualifying campaign.
Earlier in the qualification process, South Africa were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.
However, Nigeria failed to capitalise on that sanction and ultimately finished second in the group behind Bafana Bafana, missing out on automatic progression.
Now, with their fate hanging on a FIFA verdict, the Super Eagles await a decision that could yet turn a heartbreaking playoff defeat into an unexpected second chance on the road to 2026.
