The simmering off-pitch battle between Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo over player eligibility has escalated dramatically. The Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) has publicly released documents and images to counter a formal petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with FIFA.
Nigeria's Petition and Congo's Counter-Proof
The controversy centers on the eligibility of several players, most notably former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who have switched their international allegiance to represent DR Congo. The NFF submitted an official challenge to FIFA, arguing that the players' acquisition of Congolese nationality violated the country's constitution, which reportedly forbids dual citizenship.
In a bold move, FECOFA took to social media to share what it claims is definitive proof from FIFA's own systems. The federation posted screenshots from FIFA's eligibility portal showing the approved nationality switches for Wan-Bissaka, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and others. They also published photographs of Wan-Bissaka undergoing passport data capture in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo, aiming to solidify their claim of a legitimate process.
The Core of the Dispute and Potential Consequences
Nigeria's argument hinges on the claim that DR Congo submitted misleading information to FIFA. The NFF is urging the world governing body to expel the Leopards of DR Congo from the upcoming intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico. In that playoff, Congo is set to face the winner of the tie between Jamaica and New Caledonia for a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
However, Nigerian officials contend that the very evidence released by Congo supports their case. They argue the images prove the players did not formally renounce their European citizenships before obtaining Congolese passports, which they claim is a constitutional requirement.
FIFA has not yet issued an official verdict on Nigeria's petition. A decision in Nigeria's favor would not grant the Super Eagles an automatic World Cup ticket. Instead, Nigeria would replace DR Congo in the intercontinental playoff, where they would still need to defeat either Jamaica or New Caledonia to qualify for the tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Historical Context of Off-Pitch Fortunes
This is not the first time external events have presented Nigeria with a potential pathway in the 2026 qualifiers. Earlier, Eritrea's withdrawal from the competition led FIFA to adjust the qualification format, a change that indirectly benefited Nigeria by altering the standings.
In another instance, South Africa was sanctioned by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in a match against Lesotho. This resulted in a three-point deduction for Bafana Bafana. On both occasions, Nigeria failed to capitalize on these unexpected advantages on the field, most notably losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African playoff that decided who advanced to the intercontinental stage.
The current scenario presents a final, complex opportunity for redemption, but it rests entirely in the hands of FIFA's judicial bodies. The outcome of this eligibility dispute will have major ramifications for the World Cup dreams of both nations.
