Four months after a contentious 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the DR Congo Football Federation have been sanctioned by world football’s governing body for disciplinary breaches during the match.
The crucial game, held on November 16, 2025, saw DR Congo defeat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in Morocco, securing their spot in the intercontinental play-offs.
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According to FIFA’s latest disciplinary report on World Cup qualifiers, both federations were found guilty of separate violations. Nigeria was fined 1,000 Swiss francs for a breach of order and security, specifically for spectators throwing objects, which violates Article 17 and 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
DR Congo faced a more substantial penalty. Their federation was fined 5,000 Swiss francs after their supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices, an act prohibited under Article 17.2.d of the disciplinary code.
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The match was also marred by accusations from Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who claimed DR Congo officials had used “voodoo” during the game.
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These sanctions come as the NFF awaits a verdict on a separate, more serious protest filed against DR Congo concerning the alleged use of ineligible players. Nigeria lodged a formal complaint on December 15, 2025, after the play-off loss, asserting that the Congolese federation had improperly secured nationality switches for several foreign-born players.
The petition urged FIFA to investigate and consider disqualifying DR Congo from the competition. The NFF’s complaint detailed a long list of players who featured against the Super Eagles, including starters Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, and Cédric Bakambu, as well as several substitutes.
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As reported by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria’s argument highlighted that some players received clearance to represent DR Congo just days before the decisive match, despite being called up to the squad much earlier.
While DR Congo prepares for the next stage of the World Cup play-offs—a match against either New Caledonia or Jamaica on March 31—they have notably omitted two of the players named in the dispute, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, from their latest 26-man squad.
