Nigeria Petitions FIFA Over Congo's Ineligible Players in WC Playoff

Nigeria's football federation has filed a formal petition with FIFA, alleging that the Democratic Republic of Congo fielded ineligible players during their African playoff match for the 2026 World Cup, potentially jeopardizing Congo's advancement to the interconfederation playoffs.

The controversy stems from a tense penalty shootout last month in Uyo, Nigeria, where Congo defeated the Super Eagles 4-3 to secure Africa's final spot in the global qualification process. The match ended Nigeria's hopes of reaching the tournament for the second consecutive cycle, following their absence from the 2022 event in Qatar. Congo, known as the Leopards, now stands to face the winner of the New Caledonia-Jamaica semifinal in a March playoff for one of two remaining berths at the expanded 48-team finals, set for June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) claims that between six and nine Congo players, many born in Europe, did not properly renounce their foreign nationalities as required by Congolese law before switching allegiance. Under Congo's regulations, dual citizenship is prohibited for adults, with individuals born abroad to...