FIFA has opened an investigation into allegations that several Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) players may have switched national teams without fully satisfying Congolese nationality laws and FIFA’s eligibility regulations, a development that could have significant implications for the country’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
According to reports circulating within African football circles, the inquiry centres on whether the affected players properly obtained Congolese nationality and met FIFA’s statutory requirements before being fielded in competitive matches. Under FIFA rules, players who represent a national team must hold the nationality of that country and, in cases of switching associations, must also comply with strict conditions related to residency, ancestry, or a cooling-off period.
FIFA’s regulations are explicit: if a player is found to be ineligible, any matches in which they participated could be subject to forfeiture, potentially leading to points deductions or disqualification. Such sanctions have precedent, particularly in African qualifiers, where administrative and eligibility breaches have previously altered group standings.
The investigation has drawn particular attention because Nigeria, who are closely competing with DR Congo in the qualification race, are understood to be monitoring the situation closely. Should FIFA rule that DR Congo fielded ineligible players, the outcome could materially affect the group table and Nigeria’s own path toward qualification.
The Congolese Football Federation has not yet issued a detailed public response, but sources indicate it is cooperating with FIFA and compiling documentation to demonstrate compliance with both national law and international football regulations.
FIFA has not set a public timeline for its decision, but officials typically conduct such reviews through documentation checks, legal analysis of nationality status, and match reports before issuing a ruling. Until then, results involving the players in question remain provisional.
The case underscores the growing scrutiny around player eligibility and nationality switches in international football, particularly as more players with dual nationality seek to represent African nations. With World Cup qualification on the line, FIFA’s final decision could reshape the competitive landscape in the African qualifiers.
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