Nigeria's Bid to Knock Congo DR from World Cup Playoffs: A Citizenship Controversy Unfolds

Context and Allegations

Nigeria has filed a FIFA complaint demanding Congo DR be excluded from the 2026 World Cup playoffs qualifiers altogether.

The Green Eagles claim nine players had improper documents before featuring in African qualifiers for the World Cup.

Signals of a potential trouble in Africa loom on the horizon, four months before playoff kicks off, according to Arise News, which reported that Nigeria filed a complaint alleging Congo DR included an ineligible player in the African qualifiers held weeks earlier.

Timeline and Player Allegations

The complaint includes allegations that Congo DR registered ineligible players, with nine players cited who changed their nationality during the recent match against Nigeria, allegedly.

Congo DR contends legal and administrative steps were not completed in time properly.

Among those implicated: TwanziBi (England), Masauko (France), Wan Bissaka (England), Sadiki (Belgium).

Theoretically, FIFA would have accepted these nationality changes, and everything would be fine before the match that would secure a place in the playoff stage, where Congo DR was already awaiting in the final against New Caledonia or Jamaica, scheduled to be played in Mexico during the international break planned for March this year.

But reports indicate Nigeria was warned that Congo DR does not recognize dual citizenship in its constitution, and many involved parties have not relinquished their original or former nationalities as per latest reports.

Everyone watches how far this complaint goes; if it succeeds, scandal could be immense.

Punchline 1: If paperwork were football, Nigeria would already lift the trophy.

Punchline 2: FIFA's calendar is busier than a defender at a corner.