₦airaland Forum

2026 World Cup: Nigeria’s hopes revived by DR Congo players’ ineligibility claims

Anthony Nlebem

December 15, 2025




Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have reportedly been reignited following claims that DR Congo may be expelled from the competition for fielding ineligible players.

In November, DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles on penalties to secure Africa’s ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs for a place at the 2026 World Cup.


However, reports suggest they could face sanctions from FIFA ahead of the playoffs, expected to take place in March 2026.


According to the reports, six DR Congo players who switched nationality allegedly failed to complete the required eligibility process. It is claimed they did not formally renounce their previous citizenships, a key requirement given that DR Congo does not recognise dual nationality.


Further allegations state that several players who featured in the playoff match were over the age of 21, yet still held passports from other countries, rendering them ineligible under FIFA regulations.

“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” SCORENigeria quoted.


“A petition has been submitted against DR Congo concerning the eligibility of several players who featured in the World Cup Playoffs in Morocco.

“There is still hope for the Super Eagles, provided the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico have not been played.”

https://businessday.ng/sports/article/2026-world-cup-nigerias-hopes-revived-by-dr-congo-players-ineligibility-claims/

“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” SCORENigeria quoted.

We are going to the World Cup. Thank God.

DRC wanted to cheat their way to World Cup but God of Nigeria pass dem o.

Nigeria and backdoor parole be like bread and beans
You couldn't win on the field, you want to win through sanctions

FreeStuffsNG:
“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” SCORENigeria quoted.

We are going to the World Cup. Thank God.

DRC wanted to cheat their way to World Cup but God of Nigeria pass dem o.

is it not a shameful thing that a country of over 200 million people can't produce a quality team that could defeat DRC Congo even if all their squad is filled with ineligible players?

It's time to rebuild the Eagles,we should start scouting for young players who are ready to die on the pitch for Nigeria

It is time to face front and sop chasing shadows.

I believe DR Congo will do better than the useless country called Nigeria at the world cup, hence they should allow them be.
Nigeria is never a serious country due to chronic corruption and ethnicsm. No wonder Trump described her as a 'Disgraced Country'
They should stop infecting others with their self inflicted diseases.

oz4real83:
is it not a shameful thing that a country of over 200 million people can't produce a quality team that could defeat DRC Congo even if all their squad is filled with ineligible players?

Smh.

If it's by population and your warped logic, China, India and Pakistan should be winning the world Cup back to back niyen.

This is why the government and those in government don't take your ilk serious.

You're completely ignorant about issues yet want to comment on things you can't comprehend. Smh.

Nigeria is not going to the World Cup. That’s a fact. Fake stuffs stop deceiving yourself

Far more honourable beating teams to qualify, than pursuing this dishonorable path of losing & "looking for shit inside anus" to write petitions against the winner.

After the woeful performance of S/Eagles that cost us the World Cup, most Nigerians have moved on. So let's allow this matter to rest abeg.

FreeStuffsNG:
“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” SCORENigeria quoted.

We are going to the World Cup. Thank God.

DRC wanted to cheat their way to World Cup but God of Nigeria pass dem o.

It will not work ...they also played Cameroon and other African countries.... so what happens ?? Even if this is true... 6months to world cup u think caf or fifa will accept the whole mess even if its true ... Cameroon will also claim , so as the other countries they played in the group stage ... so forget dreaming....Nigeria is out of participating at the WC

FreeStuffsNG:
Smh.

If it's by population and your warped logic, China, India and Pakistan should be winning the world Cup back to back niyen.

This is why the government and those in government don't take your ilk serious.

You're completely ignorant about issues yet want to comment on things you can't comprehend. Smh.

Those countries u mentioned are not football loving nations ... India and Pakistan are cricket lovers and they both have won cricket World cups multiple times .. China has athletics , table tennis and badminton as their major sports and they perform absolutely well

cr7lomo:
It will not work ...they also played Cameroon and other African countries.... so what happens ?? Even if this is true... 6months to world cup u think caf or fifa will accept the whole mess even if its true ... Cameroon will also claim , so as the other countries they played in the group stage ... sonfirget dreaming....Nigeria is out of participating at the WC

FIFA will listen to the country that comes up with a petition

If Cameroun is so docile not to pursue her cause so he it

peleson1:
FIFA will listen to the country that comes up with a petition

If Cameroun is so docile not to pursue her cause so he it

U think Cameroon that had previously controlled Caf for decades will not have had a hint to help their team.... forget about wishful thinking... Nigeria is out

Congo would be kicked out.

They cannot escape this one.

There may be a playoff between Cameroon and Nigeria.

These countries you mentioned are not football nations. Check them out in their respective sports specialization (Cricket, gymnastics, Hockey) you'll know they are giants in those fields. US is not a football nation, but don't try them in basketball and track events. Football is our biggest sports export. We should be doing better, at least in Africa, with our population. You should try to clean out your ignorance before pointing out for others.

FreeStuffsNG:
Smh.

If it's by population and your warped logic, China, India and Pakistan should be winning the world Cup back to back niyen.

This is why the government and those in government don't take your ilk serious.

You're completely ignorant about issues yet want to comment on things you can't comprehend. Smh.

FreeStuffsNG:
“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” SCORENigeria quoted.

We are going to the World Cup. Thank God.

DRC wanted to cheat their way to World Cup but God of Nigeria pass dem o.

no one supports tinubu and has sanity intact.

cr7lomo:
U think Cameroon that had previously controlled Caf for decades will not have had a hint to help their team.... forget about wishful thinking... Nigeria is out

You are the one doing wishful thinking not me



Nigeria is doing the ground work and it's in the news and you are here wishing Cameroun should do something.

Where in the news did you hear about Cameroun petition other than Nigerian petition


Wake up

May Nigerian petition not successful in Jesus name. You can't prepare woefully and come through the backdoor. They have accused a Nigerian player like this recently and it failed. May this also fail.

FreeStuffsNG:
Smh.

If it's by population and your warped logic, China, India and Pakistan should be winning the world Cup back to back niyen.

This is why the government and those in government don't take your ilk serious.

You're completely ignorant about issues yet want to comment on things you can't comprehend. Smh.

Please kindly reduce the volume of your vawulence....the decibel is injurious to my ear drum

We don't want backdoor qualification abeg

Nigeria should sit at home Plz.

Trying to use BojuBoju to go World Cup.

And Troost-Ekong don go rush retire 😂😂😂😂

FreeStuffsNG:
2026 World Cup: Nigeria’s hopes revived by DR Congo players’ ineligibility claims

Anthony Nlebem

December 15, 2025




Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have reportedly been reignited following claims that DR Congo may be expelled from the competition for fielding ineligible players.

In November, DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles on penalties to secure Africa’s ticket to the Intercontinental Playoffs for a place at the 2026 World Cup.


However, reports suggest they could face sanctions from FIFA ahead of the playoffs, expected to take place in March 2026.


According to the reports, six DR Congo players who switched nationality allegedly failed to complete the required eligibility process. It is claimed they did not formally renounce their previous citizenships, a key requirement given that DR Congo does not recognise dual nationality.


Further allegations state that several players who featured in the playoff match were over the age of 21, yet still held passports from other countries, rendering them ineligible under FIFA regulations.

“The chances of the petition against DR Congo succeeding are even stronger than when South Africa were docked three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho,” SCORENigeria quoted.


“A petition has been submitted against DR Congo concerning the eligibility of several players who featured in the World Cup Playoffs in Morocco.

“There is still hope for the Super Eagles, provided the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico have not been played.”

https://businessday.ng/sports/article/2026-world-cup-nigerias-hopes-revived-by-dr-congo-players-ineligibility-claims/

Please leave DR Congo alone. They worked hard and qualified for the world cup.
The world cup is not for unfit and unqualified teams who look for excuses to enter through the back door.
Nigeria should never have even qualified for the run-offs, if not for CAF's dubious amendment to the rules.

Naso una wan take dey qualify for world cup? No way. It won't work this time around.

Nothing will come out from this.



Shout-out to Chess players on nairaland earning via the game.

I pray that FIFA doesn't listen to them again...congo deserve to move forward

BeautifulCloud:
Nigeria and backdoor parole be like bread and beans
You couldn't win on the field, you want to win through sanctions

A win is a win either by hook or crook

Those boys should forget about the WC, they're not ready.



Allow DR. Congo breathe.

Useless news... do you think we will be happy with it?

1. When we commenced this qualifiers, we were underating teams of other countries thereby loosing points.
2. Must we pass through these kind of conditions to qualify for World cup each year?
3. We need serious new teams, not the usual old legs not willing to play kind of guys we have.

Abeg Congo DR qualified to go, nothing should stop them.

Juanmike:
A win is a win either by hook or crook

Stop supporting evil......Na this kinda nonsense put millions of Nigerians for this current hardship.