FIFA could ban nation from World Cup after rival files official complaint

December 17, 2025 Oliver Obel

Nigeria has asked FIFA to review Congo DR’s recent World Cup qualifying matches, a move that could yet alter the final list of teams heading to the 2026 tournament in North America.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) says it has submitted a formal protest questioning the eligibility of several Congo DR players, arguing the matter goes beyond football regulations and into national citizenship law.

The dispute follows Congo DR’s penalty shootout win over Nigeria in November in the final of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) play-offs, a result that sent Congo DR into FIFA’s intercontinental play-offs.

Cameroon had earlier raised similar concerns, also focusing on players born in Europe who later chose to represent the central African nation.

Dispute over nationality and clearance

According to the NFF, between six and nine players used by Congo DR may not have completed the required legal process to change international allegiance before appearing in competitive matches.

NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the complaint is rooted in Congolese law, which does not allow dual nationality.

“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual nationality,” Sanusi said. “There are so many of them that have European passports, some of them French passports, some of them Dutch passports. The rules are very clear.”

Sanusi added that some players obtained Congolese passports in a matter of months, something Nigeria believes constitutes a regulatory breach. “That is why we took that decision,” he said.

FIFA review pending

Under FIFA regulations, players are eligible to represent a country if they hold a valid passport issued by that nation. FIFA cleared the Congo DR players on that basis before the matches were played.

Sanusi, however, claims FIFA was misled during that process. The NFF says the governing body is now examining the complaint, though FIFA has not yet issued a public response.

The timing is significant. While the World Cup draw has already been held, several groups will not be finalised until remaining qualifiers and intercontinental play-offs are completed.

Congo DR is scheduled to face the winner of New Caledonia versus Jamaica for a place at the finals. FIFA is expected to reach a decision on Nigeria’s protest before those matches take place in March.

If the appeal succeeds, Nigeria could yet be reinstated into the qualification pathway — a reminder that World Cup line-ups can still be shaped by decisions made far from the pitch.

Sources: Nigerian Football Federation, FIFA