The football federation of the Democratic Republic of Congo has strongly warned Nigeria and the Super Eagles against qualifying for the 2026 World Cup through what it described as “backdoor”.
The football body was reacting to the recent petition by the Nigeria Football Federation to FIFA protesting the eligibility of some of their fielded players in the recent play-off clash that led to a 4–3 penalty shoot-out victory in Morocco, a result that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of progressing to the FIFA intercontinental play-off.
The Congolese side has since been handed a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
Reports suggest that between six and nine DR Congo players who switched national allegiance may not have fully complied with the eligibility requirements under Congolese law before representing the country.
While FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the basis that they possessed valid DR Congo passports, it is alleged that they failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships, contrary to the Central African nation’s constitution, which does not permit dual nationality.