FIFA has punished the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation four months after the controversial 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off final between the two teams. This is because of bad behavior that happened during the game.
According to The PUNCH, DR Congo beat Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in Morocco to move on to the intercontinental play-offs.
The most recent disciplinary report from FIFA for the World Cup qualifications says that both the NFF and the Congolese FA broke the rules during the match on November 16, 2025.
FIFA said that Nigeria was punished for breaking rules about order and safety during games, notably for fans hurling things, which is against Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. As a result, the NFF had to pay a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs.
The DR Congo federation got a harsher punishment because fans were found to have utilized laser pointers or other technological devices during the game.
The action goes against Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, hence FIFA fined the Congolese association 5,000 Swiss francs.
Eric Chelle, the coach of the Super Eagles, also said that officials from DR Congo used voodoo after the loss.
In the meantime, the sanctions make people even more excited about what the world’s football governing body will say about Nigeria’s grievance against DR Congo’s supposed use of ineligible players throughout the African play-off, especially in the final.
Nigeria filed the complaint after losing the African playoff, saying that the Congolese federation lied to FIFA to get nationality changes for a number of players born outside of Africa.
The petition, which was sent on December 15, 2025, asks FIFA to look into the issue and perhaps kick DR Congo out of the qualification process.
The Nigerian federation’s document listed a lot of foreign-born players who played against the Super Eagles. The starting lineup included Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku, and Cédric Bakambu. The substitutes were Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, and Mario Stroeykens.
Nigeria’s protest, which journalist Osasu Obayiuwana made public, said that some players were allowed to play for DR Congo only days before the important playoff match, even though they had been called up earlier for the match.
DR Congo is getting ready for the World Cup play-offs, where they will play the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31 for a spot in the World Cup. They have also dropped two of the players who were in question, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, from their 26-man squad.
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