By Peter Omopo
Four months after the controversial 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off final between Nigeria and DR Congo, FIFA has sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation over disciplinary incidents that occurred during the match.
The play-off match, which was held in Morocco on November 16, 2025, ended in a dramatic penalty shootout victory for DR Congo, who defeated Nigeria 4–3 to progress to the intercontinental play-offs.
According to FIFA’s latest disciplinary overview released for the World Cup qualifiers, both football federations were found guilty of separate infractions during the encounter.
FIFA stated that Nigeria was penalised for breaching regulations relating to order and security at matches after spectators were reported to have thrown objects during the game. The act was said to contravene Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. As a result, the Nigeria Football Federation was fined 1,000 Swiss francs.
The DR Congo Football Federation, however, received a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match. The action violated Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and attracted a fine of 5,000 Swiss francs.
The disciplinary action comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the match, which also saw the Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, accuse DR Congo officials of allegedly using voodoo after Nigeria’s defeat.
The sanctions have further heightened anticipation over FIFA’s pending decision regarding the protest filed by the Nigeria Football Federation over the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo during the African play-off, particularly in the final match.
Nigeria submitted the complaint on December 15, 2025, shortly after the defeat, urging FIFA to investigate the eligibility of several players who represented DR Congo during the game.
The Nigerian federation argued that the Congolese football authorities may have misled FIFA in securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players who featured for the team.
The petition listed a number of players who appeared for DR Congo 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.
Other players named in the complaint were substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
According to the petition, some of the players allegedly received clearance to represent DR Congo only a few days before the decisive play-off match despite being called up earlier for the fixture.
While DR Congo continue preparations for the intercontinental play-offs, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final clash between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31 for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Congolese team has already dropped two of the disputed players, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, from their 26-man squad.
