The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has petitioned FIFA over alleged breaches of player eligibility rules by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), a move that could see Nigeria replace the Central African nation if the complaint is upheld.
The federation confirmed that the petition is based on claims that DR Congo fielded players who are ineligible under the country’s own nationality laws, even though they were cleared by FIFA to participate in official matches.
According to the NFF, the eligibility issue relates to Congolese regulations which, it said, prohibit players with dual nationality from representing the country at international level.
NFF secretary general, Mohammed Sanusi, said the federation is awaiting FIFA’s decision on the matter, noting that the rules governing nationality and eligibility in DR Congo are explicit.
He alleged that some DR Congo players possess European passports, including French and Dutch nationalities, which he said violates the country’s domestic eligibility regulations.
Sanusi cited the case of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and other players with multiple nationalities as part of the evidence presented in Nigeria’s petition to FIFA.
He explained that FIFA initially cleared the players based on documents submitted to it, stressing that under FIFA regulations, players are eligible once they hold valid passports of the country they represent.
However, the NFF insists that FIFA was misled in the clearance process, arguing that the global football body relies on information provided by member associations and does not enforce compliance with domestic laws.
Sanusi described the alleged misrepresentation as fraudulent, adding that Nigeria’s petition is anchored on the claim that FIFA’s approval was obtained on false premises.
