Nigeria’s chances of returning to the FIFA World Cup have received a fresh lift following moves by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to challenge DR Congo’s participation in the 2026 qualifiers.
The development centres on alleged breaches of player eligibility rules by the Congolese team during the African play-offs.
The NFF has confirmed that it has formally raised concerns over the status of several DR Congo players used in matches that knocked Nigeria out of contention.
If the petition succeeds, the outcome of the play-off could be revisited, reopening a potential qualification path for the Super Eagles.
DR Congo had edged Nigeria out in November after a tense encounter that ended 4–3 on penalties in Morocco.
That defeat effectively shut the door on Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Following that result, DR Congo was handed a direct place in the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament.
They are expected to face the winner of the semi-final clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
However, that slot is now under scrutiny.
According to information provided by the NFF, between six and nine Congolese players who featured in the play-offs may not have satisfied all legal requirements before switching national allegiance.
The concern is tied to DR Congo’s constitutional position on citizenship.
While the players reportedly held valid DR Congo passports and were cleared to play under FIFA regulations, questions have been raised over whether they properly renounced their former nationalities.
DR Congo’s constitution does not permit dual citizenship, a rule the NFF argues was violated.
“NFF has done the needful,” a senior federation official said.
“Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring. Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA as well.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that the federation has officially challenged the process that led to the players’ clearance.
“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said.
“Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, others Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”
He further explained the federation’s position on FIFA’s role in the matter.
“FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared,” Sanusi stated.
“But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent.”
The unfolding situation has reignited optimism among Nigerian football fans.
Nigeria has not appeared at the World Cup since 2018 and narrowly missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Missing the 2026 edition would have marked back-to-back absences for Africa’s most populous nation.
For DR Congo, the controversy casts a shadow over what could have been a historic return to the global stage.
The country has only featured once at the World Cup, in 1974, when it competed under the name Zaire.
As the NFF awaits FIFA’s response, the Super Eagles’ World Cup dream, once thought dead, may yet be revived.
