The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s football association has issued a sharp warning to Nigeria and the Super Eagles not to use what it called a “backdoor” to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The football organization was responding to the Nigeria Football Federation’s recent petition to FIFA protesting the eligibility of some of their fielded players in the recent play-off match that ended the Super Eagles’ chances of making it to the FIFA intercontinental play-off. The match ended in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory in Morocco.
The Congolese side has since been handed a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica.
Reports suggest that between six and nine DR Congo players who switched national allegiance may not have fully complied with the eligibility requirements under Congolese law before representing the country.
“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence — not with legal tricks. Bring it on,” the post read.
In another post, the football body situated in Central Africa also shared pictures showing when a few of their players who switched nationality, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, met with the President of the country, Felix Tshisekedi.
The picture shared from FIFA’s website under the title, “Change of Association platform,” revealed some of their key players switching nationality from their previous countries to Congo, with dates of when the decision was finalised.
FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared,” Sanusi explained. “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 development has boosted Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The country had been condemned to missing back-to-back World Cups after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar as well.
DR Congo, meanwhile, has appeared at the FIFA World Cup on one occasion in 1974 when they were known as Zaire.
