Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a potential lifeline following confirmation by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) that it has petitioned FIFA over the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) during the African play-offs.

DR Congo eliminated Nigeria from the qualification race in November after edging the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties in Morocco, a result that dashed Nigeria’s chances of reaching the FIFA intercontinental play-off.

The Congolese side was subsequently granted a bye into the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are due to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, their place in the final could now be under threat following concerns raised by the NFF regarding the eligibility status of several players fielded by DR Congo.

According to reports, between six and nine players who switched national allegiance to represent DR Congo may not have fully complied with the country’s constitutional requirements before featuring in the play-offs. While FIFA reportedly cleared the players on the basis that they possessed valid DR Congo passports, it is alleged that they failed to formally renounce their previous citizenships, a requirement under Congolese law, which does not recognise dual nationality.

“NFF has done the needful,” a member of the federation’s executive board told reporters. “Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring. Our lawyers must have submitted the relevant documents to FIFA as well.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that the federation had formally challenged the players’ eligibility.

“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality,” Sanusi said. “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; some of them have French passports, others Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.

“FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared,” he explained. “But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent.”

The development has reignited Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Super Eagles were on course to miss consecutive World Cup appearances after also failing to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

DR Congo, meanwhile, have featured at the FIFA World Cup only once, making their sole appearance in 1974 under the name Zaire.