DR Congo Tells Nigeria to Focus on AFCON as FIFA Reviews Eligibility Petition
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has dismissed Nigeria’s move to challenge their World Cup qualifying defeat, telling the Super Eagles to focus on the Africa Cup of Nations as FIFA reviews a petition over player eligibility.
Reacting to Nigeria’s complaint, DR Congo Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, said FIFA decisions are based on sporting nationality and not on domestic nationality laws.
“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 brothers, to focus instead on the AFCON.”
Nigeria is seeking a review of its exit from the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after losing to DR Congo on penalties in November. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked FIFA to investigate whether some Congolese players were eligible to take part in the matches.
The petition is based on DR Congo’s constitution, which does not generally recognise dual citizenship for adults. Nigeria argues that some DR Congo players may have retained European passports without formally renouncing their previous nationalities, as required under Congolese law.
Players mentioned in the petition are reported to include footballers with links to Belgium, England, France and Switzerland, such as Mario Stroeykens, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Charles Pickel.
While FIFA rules allow players to represent a country after completing a one-time switch of sporting nationality, provided all documents are approved, the NFF argues that FIFA clearance does not override national laws on citizenship.
NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed that the petition has been submitted and that Nigeria is waiting for FIFA’s decision.
“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship,” Sanusi said. “Wan-Bissaka has a European passport, and some others have French passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition.”
He explained that FIFA’s earlier approval was based on documents supplied by the Congolese authorities.
“As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. That is why they were cleared,” Sanusi added. “But our concern is that FIFA may have been misled into clearing them.”
Under DR Congo’s constitution, nationality can only be acquired through recognised legal processes such as naturalisation, marriage, adoption or formal option, and dual citizenship is not generally permitted. Nigeria maintains that if these procedures were not properly followed, the players’ eligibility could be questioned.
FIFA has the authority to take action if fraud or falsification of documents is established. Possible sanctions include withdrawal of eligibility, match forfeiture, bans, or expulsion from competitions.
