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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/

Fekumzi123:
You have not seen someone that struggled to qualify ended up doing better. The current Sunderland is a good example.

BigDick70inch:
Close yo mouth......
Struggling Sunderland will beat super eagle thousand time......

mikeapollo:
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.

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

Anthony Nlebem

December 15, 2025
Which kind world cup qualification be this? Looking for people's loopholes rather than adequate preparation in order to qualify for world cup. First it was South Africa, now them they disturb Congo. What do they want to go to the tournament for sef. As uncoordinated as they are.




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/

Flangelo12:
Congo would be kicked out.

They cannot escape this one.

There may be a playoff between Cameroon and Nigeria.

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/

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?

cr7lomo:
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

franvincoop:
Are you sure?
🇨🇲 Cameroon is just waiting for the Nigerian appeal to pass before it lodges its own appeal.
Have you forgotten that in those same playoffs Congo defeated Cameroon with those same players before defeating Nigeria 3 days later.
There might be a Cameroon vs Nigeria match to decide who will qualify for the playoffs.

Then there is also the matter of the group where Congo emerged 2nd from where you will find Sudan who came 3rd which will also claim that 2nd spot if Congo is disqualified because of those players.

There is also Burkina Faso in the runners up table who came 5th will also appeal if Congo is disqualified.

How FIFA wan take solve this issue? Given that the playoffs are in March and calendars for international breaks have been fixed.

Either FIFA turn a blind eye and let Congo go to the playoffs or suspend Congo and open Pandoras box.

Either way, there can be no direct qualification to the playoffs for Nigeria if Congo is suspended.

FIFA don enter better gbese

aswani:
We need to stop this nonsense, we lost fair and square to them, they deserve to be in the qualifiers ahead of us.

No back door entry needed.

I know FIFA are desperate for us to qualify because as Nigerians, especially those living in the US, we will spend a lot during the tournament.

Good luck to Congo, hopefully theyake it and do themselves proud.

Bundaweber:
Is it fair if they fielded ineligible players?

Flangelo12:
Congo would be kicked out.

They cannot escape this one.

There may be a playoff between Cameroon and Nigeria.