Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been reignited after the Nigeria Football Federation formally petitioned FIFA over the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo during the qualifying play-offs. The NFF has submitted documents questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players who featured in the match that ended Nigeria’s campaign last November.

DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles in a dramatic 4-3 penalty shoot-out win in Morocco, a result that dashed Nigeria’s hopes of progressing to the FIFA intercontinental play-off. The Congolese side was subsequently handed a bye into the final of that tournament, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, that place is now under threat following the NFF’s challenge.

The dispute centers on the nationality status of between six and nine players who switched allegiance to DR Congo. Reports indicate that while FIFA cleared the players based on their possession of valid DR Congo passports, they may have failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships. This is alleged to be contrary to Congolese law, which does not recognize dual nationality.

A member of the NFF’s executive board confirmed the action, stating, “NFF has done the needful. Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring. Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed the official challenge. “We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said. “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, others Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”

Sanusi elaborated on the federation’s position regarding FIFA’s role, adding, “FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared. But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent.”

This development has sparked optimism in Nigeria, which faces the prospect of missing consecutive World Cups after also failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. DR Congo, meanwhile, has featured at the FIFA World Cup only once, in 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire. FIFA is now expected to review the petition and its accompanying documentation.