FIFA has sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Association following disciplinary incidents recorded during their 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off match, which took place on November 16, 2025.
The world football governing body, in its latest disciplinary overview for World Cup qualifiers, found both federations guilty of separate offences during the encounter won by DR Congo 4–3 on penalties in Morocco .
Nigeria was penalised for a breach relating to order and security at matches after spectators were found to have thrown objects during the game . The offence falls under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, resulting in a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs for the NFF .
The Congolese federation received a stiffer penalty after its supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match . The act contravened Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, prompting FIFA to fine the DR Congo Football Association 5,000 Swiss francs .
FIFA stated that disciplinary decisions are taken based on the circumstances of each case and may still be subject to appeal. The body added that the summary of sanctions released publicly was mainly intended to inform the media, while the official legal decisions were communicated directly to the federations involved .
The sanctions come amid heightened expectations about FIFA’s anticipated verdict on the NFF’s protest against the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo during the same fixture .
Nigeria lodged the complaint after losing the African play-off, arguing that the Congolese federation misled FIFA in securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players . The petition, submitted on December 15, 2025, asked FIFA to investigate the matter and potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process .
The Nigerian federation’s document listed numerous foreign-born players who featured against the Super Eagles, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku and Cédric Bakambu in the starting line-up, as well as substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens .
In the complaint, Nigeria argued that several players obtained clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match, despite having been called up earlier for the fixture .
The NFF argued that Congolese law prohibits dual citizenship for adults, and some of the players held European and French passports while representing the Leopards . NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi stated, “The Congolese rule (law) says you cannot have dual nationality but some of their players have European and French passports. Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them” .
The Congolese Football Federation has dismissed the protest as an attempt to “win via the back door” .
FIFA has confirmed the matter is under review but has not issued a timetable for a ruling . NFF director of communications Ademola Olajire stated, “Any claims that a ruling has been made are false. FIFA has not communicated any verdict to us or to the Congolese federation” .
While DR Congo prepares for the World Cup play-offs, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31 for a place at the World Cup, they have also dropped two of the disputed players — Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens — from their 26-man squad .
