Nigeria may not have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the usual route, but the Super Eagles believe they still deserve a pathway back into contention.
After losing to DR Congo on penalties in the decisive CAF World Cup qualification playoff, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted a formal protest to FIFA, arguing that DR Congo fielded players whose eligibility should be questioned. If FIFA agrees with Nigeria’s claim, it could potentially affect the playoff outcome — though that would be a major step.
Why Nigeria are protesting
Nigeria’s complaint focuses on the eligibility of certain DR Congo players who featured in the matches against the Super Eagles.
The NFF alleges that as many as six DR Congo players did not properly complete the required process connected to international eligibility — specifically the steps linked to a one-time switch and the legal requirements for DR Congo citizenship.
Nigeria’s argument leans heavily on a citizenship technicality: DR Congo’s domestic nationality system is widely understood to be strict on dual nationality. Under that interpretation, anyone seeking DR Congo citizenship is expected to renounce a previous nationality as part of becoming fully recognised as Congolese.
Nigeria believe some DR Congo players may not have renounced earlier citizenships, meaning (in Nigeria’s view) they would not have completed DR Congo’s legal citizenship requirements — and that, Nigeria argue, should impact whether they could represent DR Congo in official matches.
Which players are being discussed
The NFF has not publicly named the players included in the complaint.
However, attention has shifted to several DR Congo squad members who were born outside DR Congo or who switched international allegiance, including names commonly mentioned such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Cedric Bakambu, Gael Kakuta, and Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Nigeria’s position is that the issue is not simply where the players were born — but whether their nationality paperwork and switch process were fully and correctly completed.
What FIFA rules say about nationality and eligibility
FIFA’s eligibility rules generally come down to two big questions:
- Does the player hold the nationality of the country they want to represent legally?
- If the player changed associations (a one-time switch), did they meet the requirements and receive proper approval?
For players who acquire nationality later in life, FIFA also considers “genuine link” conditions. These can include being born in the territory, having a parent or grandparent born there, or meeting specific residency requirements.
In Nigeria’s case, the key dispute is the citizenship angle: Nigeria argue that if DR Congo law requires renunciation of previous citizenship, then any player who did not renounce could not have properly obtained DR Congo nationality — and would therefore be ineligible.
Could Nigeria take DR Congo’s place in the World Cup playoffs?
It’s possible in theory, but it’s the most difficult and dramatic outcome.
If FIFA finds that DR Congo used ineligible players, FIFA could choose from a few actions:
- Retroactive sporting punishment (for example, forfeiting matches where ineligible players appeared)
- Disciplinary action going forward (sanctions without changing past results)
- No action, if FIFA concludes the players were properly cleared and eligible
For Nigeria to replace DR Congo, FIFA would likely need to rule that the violations were serious enough to affect results already played and then apply a consequence that changes who advances. That’s a big decision, and it depends entirely on evidence, documentation, and FIFA’s legal interpretation.
When are the World Cup intercontinental playoffs?
The intercontinental playoff tournament is set for the March international window:
- Semi-finals: March 26
- Finals: March 31
DR Congo are currently listed in a pathway that would see them face the winner of a semi-final involving New Caledonia and Jamaica.
What happens next
For now, Nigeria are waiting for FIFA’s response. Everything will hinge on what documents were filed, how FIFA interprets the relationship between domestic citizenship laws and FIFA eligibility rules, and whether any breach is judged serious enough to change competitive outcomes.
Until FIFA issues a final decision, DR Congo remain scheduled to continue in the World Cup playoff route — but Nigeria’s protest shows they believe the door is still open.