- Safiu Kehinde
The hope of Super Eagles’ possible qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been revived as the international football governing body intensified probe on the Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged fielding of ineligible players.
NPO Reported that the Congolese had last month shattered the Nigerian national team’s World Cup dream after the defeating the Eric Chelle-led side on penalty shootout at the Africa’s World Cup Qualification play-off final.
With both teams holding each other to a1-1 draw across the 90 minutes full time and 30 minutes extra time, the game was decided from the spot kick where DR Congo emerged victorious to book a spot in the intercontinental phase of the World Cup qualification play-off.
The victory of the Central African country is however on the verge of being overturned as FIFA intensified investigation following allegations that DR Congo may have breached its eligibility regulations.
According to reports, the probe focuses on claims that about nine DR Congo players switched nationalities without fully completing the legal and administrative procedures required under Congolese law and FIFA statutes.
The DR Congo law does not generally recognise dual citizenship.
This implied that individuals who acquire another nationality are expected to formally renounce their original citizenship — a requirement that becomes critical for players who had already passed the age limit for making a definitive nationality choice.
In the same vein, FIFA rules dictated that possession of a passport alone does not automatically confer eligibility to represent a national team.
Players are expected to also comply with domestic legal requirements and FIFA regulations governing changes of international allegiance.
Reports however indicates that some of these conditions may not have been fully satisfied, with additional concerns raised about the documentation of at least one player who had previously declined an international call-up.
FIFA is said to be examining the matter closely, with its decision expected to determine whether violations occurred and what sanctions, if any, will follow.
Potential outcomes range from match forfeiture to wider disciplinary measures, depending on the gravity of any confirmed breaches.
By implication, Super Eagles might stand a chance of securing the World Cup qualification spot from DR Congo if the Central African nation is found guilty of the allegation.