Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be revived after reports that DR Congo may be disqualified from the African playoff stage. The issue centers on up to six DR Congo players who recently switched national allegiances but allegedly did not complete FIFA’s full eligibility process, including renouncing previous citizenships as required under Congolese law.
Concerns have also been raised about passports and age, with some players reportedly holding European passports and being over 21. FIFA’s eligibility rules may have been breached if proper procedures were not followed prior to the playoff matches. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has formally protested to FIFA over the matter.
NFF Secretary General Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said, “FIFA rules say once you have passports of your country, you’re eligible… But we are saying that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congolese rules; they went by what was submitted.” If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, the Super Eagles could be reinstated into the March 2026 Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico.