The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has warned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Super Eagles against trying to win a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup through “backdoor” means.
This comes after Nigeria petitioned FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players in their playoff match, which ended in a 4-3 penalty shootout win for DR Congo.
DR Congo’s football association accused Nigeria of being “bad losers” and attempting to overturn the result through administrative means rather than on the pitch.
They emphasized that the World Cup should be played with dignity and confidence, not with “lawyers’ tricks”. “If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup must be played with dignity and confidence — not with legal tricks. Bring it on”. A post on X made by DR Congo national team reads.
The controversy centers around allegations that some DR Congo players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, may not have fully complied with eligibility requirements, specifically regarding dual nationality, which is not recognized by Congolese law.
