The full text of the letter written by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to FIFA on the ineligibility of players from Dr Congo who defeated Nigeria in the world cup qualifiers playoff has been made known to OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Nigeria are protesting that several players in the team of Dr Congo flouted the constitutional requirements to be bonafide citizens of the country, as they hold dual nationality which is against the laws of the country.
DR Congo does not allow dual nationality, and the NFF in their letter of protest to FIFA asked for the game to be awared to Nigeria, which will see them pick the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff in Mexico next year.
At the playoff in March there will be two available tickets for the finalists. Below is what was sent to FIFA by the NFF.
To:
FIFA Disciplinary Committee
Legal & Compliance Division
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
From:
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
Abuja,Nigeria.
Date: 10th Dec., 2025
*Subject*: Formal Complaint Against Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) for Fielding Ineligible Players – 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifying Playoff
Dear Members of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee,
The Nigeria Football Federation (“NFF”) hereby submits this formal complaint against the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (“FECOFA”) arising from the alleged use of ineligible players by the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DR Congo”) national team in the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Playoff match held on 16 November 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, where DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties.
1. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On 16 November 2025, Nigeria’s senior men’s team (“Super Eagles”) faced DR Congo in the final African playoff to determine qualification for the intercontinental playoff stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
DR Congo fielded multiple players (reported between six and nine) whose eligibility to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo is challenged by the NFF due to alleged non-compliance with both domestic nationality requirements and relevant FIFA regulations.
2. BASIS OF COMPLAINT
A. Allegations of Misleading Documentation
The NFF contends that DR Congo submitted documentation to FIFA purporting to establish the eligibility of the contested players. However, evidence before the NFF suggests that several of these players held foreign passports and may not have complied with Congolese nationality laws, which prohibit dual citizenship—a factor foundational to their eligibility under both national and international law.
B. Conflict Between Domestic Law and FIFA Clearances
The NFF acknowledges that FIFA’s Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes ordinarily deem a player eligible to represent a national team when holding the nationality of that country and satisfying related criteria. However, in this instance, the NFF asserts that FIFA’s clearance was granted on the basis of incomplete or misleading information supplied by FECOFA, and therefore FIFA may have been misled in the player-eligibility confirmation process.
C. Integrity of Competition
Fielding players with questionable eligibility undermines the integrity and fairness of the competition as envisaged in Articles 4 and 6 of the FIFA Statutes, which mandate equal opportunity and regulatory compliance by all member associations.
3. LEGAL GROUNDS
The complaint is predicated on alleged violations of:
a. FIFA Statutes & Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes
Particularly those provisions requiring that all documentation provided for player eligibility be complete, accurate, and compliant with both FIFA and pertinent national legal requirements.
b. FIFA Disciplinary Code
For misrepresentation and breaches of sporting integrity, where misleading FIFA authorities on eligibility matters constitutes a punishable offense.
4. EVIDENCE PROVIDED
The NFF attaches the following as supporting evidence:
*Certified copies of passports and nationality documentation of the contested players.
*Documentation of Congolese nationality law showing prohibition of dual citizenship.
*Official correspondence and clearance notices issued by FIFA for the contested players.
*Match sheets reflecting the fielding of the contested players during the playoff.
5. RELIEF SOUGHT
The NFF respectfully requests that FIFA:
Conduct a detailed investigation into the alleged eligibility breaches.
Determine whether the alleged violations warrant sanctions under the FIFA Statutes and Disciplinary Code.
If violations are substantiated:
Award the match to Nigeria or otherwise adjust the result in accordance with FIFA Rules;
Disqualify DR Congo from further participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifying competition;
Impose additional disciplinary sanctions on FECOFA or the players involved, as appropriate.
6. CONCLUSION
This complaint is submitted in good faith with a view to upholding the integrity and fairness of FIFA competitions. The NFF awaits acknowledgment of receipt and further procedural guidance from FIFA.
Yours faithfully,
General Secretary / Legal Officer
Nigeria Football Federation
