DR Congo have excluded two players named in Nigeria’s eligibility complaint to FIFA from their World Cup play-off squad, while the dispute over the African qualifying match remains unresolved.
The Democratic Republic of Congo have left out two players cited in the Nigeria Football Federation’s complaint to FIFA as they named a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre unveiled the squad on Wednesday, retaining key figures such as captain Chancel Mbemba, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa following the team’s penalty victory over Nigeria in the African play-off round.
However, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens — both highlighted in Nigeria’s eligibility complaint — were omitted from the list, while Matheu Epolo was included. Nigeria argued that several players received FIFA clearance only days before the decisive play-off match.
The complaint stated, “It should be added for context that at least three of these players… received their final clearance to play for DRC between November 11 and 12, 2025, just before the play-off match against Nigeria.”
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