Nigerian Complaint Threatens DR Congo's 2026 World Cup Participation

The African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup could see controversial developments just four months before the intercontinental play-offs. Media sources have reported that Nigeria has filed a complaint regarding an "alleged violation" of player eligibility for the DR Congo national team during an African play-off match held weeks ago.

According to a report by Marca newspaper, Nigeria's complaint focuses on the change of nationality for up to nine players who participated with DR Congo in the final match against Nigeria. Nigeria argues that the legal and administrative procedures for changing nationality were not completed within the specified deadlines before the crucial encounter.

Among the names mentioned in the report are Axel Tuanzebe (England), Arthur Masuaku (France), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (England), and Sadiki (Belgium). These players had previously represented other national teams or held other nationalities before joining the DR Congo national team.

Conversely, the report indicates that FIFA had, in principle, approved the nationality changes for the players in question, and that they were eligible to participate before the match that secured their spot in the intercontinental play-offs. DR Congo is awaiting the winner of the New Caledonia versus Jamaica match, scheduled to take place in Mexico during the upcoming March international break.

The same source states that Nigeria highlighted that the DR Congo constitution does not permit dual nationality, arguing that a number of the players concerned had not officially renounced their original nationalities or the nationalities they previously represented.

The fate of this complaint now rests on the decision of the competent bodies within FIFA. Should the allegations prove true, the case could have significant repercussions, potentially opening the door to an unprecedented legal crisis for African teams on their path to the 2026 World Cup.