Nigeria’s Super Eagles have launched a compelling case against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for allegedly fielding ineligible players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, with the National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman describing it as “very tight.”
The controversy centers on DRC’s use of several players who had previously represented other countries without proper clearance. Nigeria argues that these players switched nationalities in violation of FIFA rules, which require a formal process—including a cooling-off period and FIFA approval—for such changes. By not adhering to these protocols, DRC gained an unfair advantage in their playoff matches.
Nigeria has escalated the matter to FIFA, formally requesting that the DRC be disqualified from the World Cup qualifiers entirely. This bold demand underscores the severity of the alleged breaches and could reshape the qualification standings if upheld.
Super Eagles Mount Strong Case Against DRC in World Cup Qualifier Dispute
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are at the center of a heated international football controversy, filing a formal complaint with FIFA against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for fielding multiple ineligible players in the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Shehu Dikko, chairman of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), confidently described the case as “very tight,” signaling strong evidence to support their claims.
The issue revolves around FIFA’s stringent eligibility rules for players switching national teams. Several DRC players had previously represented other countries but appeared for the Leopards without undergoing the required clearance process. This includes a mandatory cooling-off period—typically three years for senior internationals—and explicit FIFA approval. Nigeria contends that DRC bypassed these steps, undermining the integrity of the qualifiers and securing an unfair edge in key matches.
In a decisive move, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has urged FIFA to disqualify DRC from the entire 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. Should FIFA rule in Nigeria’s favor, it could lead to forfeited results, point deductions, or outright expulsion for DRC, potentially reopening qualification spots in Africa’s tight race.
Football experts note that such cases are rare but precedent-setting; FIFA has previously sanctioned teams like Chad and Kenya for similar violations. As investigations proceed, the outcome hangs in the balance, with implications for fan trust and the credibility of African football.
