Nigeria has filed a complaint with FIFA, accusing the DR Congo of using ineligible players in the qualifying playoff for the World Cup.

Nigeria has filed a complaint with FIFA, claiming that the DR Congo used ineligible players in the African qualifying playoff for the 2026 World Cup. Following a defeat in the penalty shootout, the DR Congo advanced in the competition, but Nigeria contests the legality of the participation of players with dual citizenship. The Secretary General of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, stated that these players do not comply with Congolese regulations, which prohibit dual citizenship.

Although FIFA authorized the players based on the information received, Nigeria claims it was misled. The Congolese Football Federation rejected the allegations, stating that Nigeria should win on the field, not through legal challenges. The World Cup will take place between June 11 and July 19, 2026, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.