US EditionCongo-Kinshasa/Nigeria: DR Congo Throw Jab At Nigeria for Trying to Reach the World Cup Through 'Back Door'
Nigerian Football Federation alleges up to nine DR Congo players were ineligible due to nationality switch issues and seeks to overturn playoff loss, reopening World Cup qualification hopes.
- On December 16, 2025, the Nigerian Football Federation filed a complaint to FIFA alleging up to nine ineligible players were used by Congo DR in the Nov. 16 playoff.
- The NFF says several Congo DR players switched international allegiance without proper legal clearance under Congolese law and alleges FIFA was deceived into clearing them.
- Procedural differences between FIFA regulations and Congolese law are highlighted by FIFA clearing Congo DR players based on holding valid passports, while reports say some held European passports and obtained Congolese paperwork in three months.
- FIFA is now investigating and a ruling is expected before the March intercontinental playoffs, which NFF officials say could reopen the Super Eagles' route to the 2026 World Cup.
- NFF officials say they have submitted their protest to FIFA, noting the NFF joins Cameroon, which filed a similar complaint, while an ex-DRC coach called Nigeria's 'voodoo' accusations 'nonsense'.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Congo-Kinshasa/Nigeria: DR Congo Throw Jab At Nigeria for Trying to Reach the World Cup Through 'Back Door'
Democratic Republic of Congo have responded to claims that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has petition FIFA over the Leopards use of nine players ineligible for the World Cup Playoffs in Morocco.
There may be a world mess in Africa. Four months after the international 'fishing' is celebrated, 'Arise News' has reported that Nigeria would have issued a complaint for improper alignment by RD Congo in the African 'fishing' disputed weeks ago.wf_cms.rss.read_more
Nigerians claim FIFA's place in the respite of their rival in the African playoff for improper alignment. He claims that 9 players were not eligible.
NFF reignites Nigeria’s World Cup hopes, petitions FIFA, alleges DR Congo breached rules
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive following a formal protest lodged by NFF against the Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged breaches of player eligibility rules.
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