The football rivalry between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated from the pitch to the boardroom, sparking a major controversy that threatens the latter's 2026 FIFA World Cup dreams. The Federation of Congolese Football Associations (FECOFA) has launched a scathing counter-attack against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), branding them "bad losers" after a formal petition was submitted to world football's governing body.
The Core of Nigeria's FIFA Petition
At the heart of the dispute is an official protest letter sent by the NFF to FIFA in December 2025. The Nigerian federation is challenging the eligibility of several key players who featured for DR Congo during their crucial World Cup qualifying playoff final in November. Nigeria alleges that six players, including former Manchester United defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, did not properly renounce their European passports before representing the Central African nation.
According to reports, the NFF's case hinges on a constitutional technicality. They claim the DR Congo constitution prohibits dual citizenship, requiring individuals born abroad to renounce one nationality before the age of 21. The Nigerian body asserts that FIFA was misled into approving the national team switches for these players, who received clearance to play. As a result, Nigeria is demanding that DR Congo be disqualified from the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026, where they are set to face the winner between Jamaica and New Caledonia, with Nigeria taking their place.
FECOFA's Fiery Rebuttal and Social Media War
FECOFA responded with palpable fury, releasing a strongly-worded statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) page. The Congolese football authority accused Nigeria of attempting to use "lawyers' tricks" to secure a World Cup spot they failed to earn on the field of play.
"If you can't win on the pitch, don't try to win from the back door. The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence. Not with lawyers' tricks. Bring it on. Allez y les Léopards. Bad losers," the statement read.
The post ignited a fierce social media debate, predominantly involving Nigerian fans. Many users questioned the dignity of fielding allegedly ineligible players. One user, @bagginths, challenged FECOFA: "The questions are, do you intend to keep fielding ineligible players as you progress...? 'Bring it on,' do you think you can beat Nigeria in this politics?" Another, @gbengamendel, added, "Dignity with ineligible players? This route you want to take is the one that will eventually finish you people."
Officials Weigh In and What Happens Next
Adding to the official discourse, DR Congo's football director, Herita Ilunga, also replied to Nigeria's actions on social media. Ilunga maintained that his country has not breached any FIFA regulations and suggested that the NFF should instead concentrate its efforts on preparing the Super Eagles for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The situation now rests in the hands of FIFA's disciplinary and governance committees. Their investigation will need to scrutinize:
- The specific eligibility documents of the players in question.
- The interpretation of DR Congo's national laws regarding citizenship.
- Whether FIFA's own clearance process was followed correctly.
The outcome carries immense stakes. For DR Congo, it is about protecting their historic achievement of reaching the intercontinental playoffs. For Nigeria, it represents a dramatic, last-ditch avenue to resurrect their own World Cup qualification campaign after falling short on the pitch. The football world now awaits FIFA's verdict, which will determine if this battle is won with sporting merit or legal technicalities.
