Eligibility complaint: Forget World Cup, face AFCON, Dr Congo tells NFF
The Democratic Republic of Congo has brushed aside Nigeria’s attempt to overturn their World Cup qualifying defeat
Eligibility complaint:
Forget World Cup, face AFCON, Dr Congo tells NFF
The Democratic Republic of Congo has brushed aside Nigeria’s attempt to overturn their World Cup qualifying defeat, telling the Super Eagles to “focus instead on the AFCON” as FIFA examines a formal petition over player eligibility.
DR Congo’s Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, reacted sharply to Nigeria’s complaint, insisting FIFA operates on sporting nationality rather than domestic law.
“FIFA does not operate based on legal nationality, but on sporting nationality,” Ilunga said. “If that is the case, I advise you, my dear Naija, my BBC brothers, to focus instead on the AFCON.”
Nigeria are seeking a review of their elimination from African qualification for the 2026 World Cup after losing on penalties to DR Congo in November. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked FIFA to investigate whether several Congolese players were eligible to feature, arguing that national law may not have been properly followed.
The petition centres on DR Congo’s constitution, which does not recognise dual nationality for adults. Nigeria claims some Congolese internationals retained European passports and may not have formally renounced their previous citizenships, a requirement under Congolese law.
Among the players referenced are those with backgrounds linked to Belgium, England, France and Switzerland, including Mario Stroeykens, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Charles Pickel.
FIFA regulations allow players to represent a country after completing a one-time switch of sporting nationality, provided documentation is approved.
However, the NFF argues that FIFA clearance does not override domestic nationality laws and that misleading information may have been submitted.
Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the petition has been lodged and said Nigeria is awaiting FIFA’s decision.
“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship,” Sanusi told reporters. “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some have French passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”
He added that FIFA’s approval was based on documents provided by the Congolese authorities.
“As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. That’s why they were cleared,” Sanusi said. “But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them.”
Under DR Congo’s constitution, nationality can only be acquired through specific state-approved processes, including naturalisation, marriage, adoption or formal option, and the country does not generally permit dual citizenship. Nigeria argues that if those procedures were not followed, sporting eligibility could collapse.
FIFA has the power to act if fraud or falsification of documents is proven, including withdrawing eligibility, imposing bans, forfeiting matches or expelling teams from competitions.