By MMN reporter 16.12.2025
The door of qualification for the 2026 World Cup might have opened for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the world soccer governing body FIFA will likely scrutinize the eligibility of several Congo Democratic Republic players.
The Leopards of Congo DR, beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalty shootout in the CAF playoffs decided November in Morocco, but it has emerged that a good number of Congo DR players not carry the Congo DR passports as required by football regulations for international matches.
Wan-Bisska and six others in the Congolese team have European passports, according to the Nigeria Football Federation, these players did not regularise their citizenship status as required by Congo DR constitution before kicking the ball for the Leopards. In Congo DR’s constitution there is no provision for dual citizenships.
“We have notified FIFA on this and are waiting,” said NFF secretary-general Mohammed Sanusi.
“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship or nationality. 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.
“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.”
If petition is successful, the Super Eagles will be granted a backdoor entrance into the intercontinental playoffs where they will likely meet the winner of the tie between Jamaica and New Caledonia. The playoff is set for March 2026.