NIGERIA’S WORLD CUP HOPE REKINDLED: DR CONGO FACE ELIGIBILITY SCRUTINY
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been revived after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a complaint with FIFA over alleged ineligible players used by DR Congo during the African play-offs.
KEY ISSUES:
– Alleged Ineligible Players : DR Congo may have fielded 6-9 players who didn’t meet domestic legal requirements, breaching FIFA regulations.
– Dual Citizenship Concerns : Players holding European passports may not have renounced previous nationalities, violating DR Congo’s constitution.
– FIFA Investigation : NFF claims FIFA was misled, and players didn’t comply with DR Congo’s laws on nationality.
– NFF’s Stance : “FIFA regulations focus on passport possession, but we believe FIFA was deceived into clearing them.”
– Potential Outcome : If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favor, DR Congo could be disqualified, and Nigeria reinstated into the Intercontinental Playoffs
The latest development has reignited hopes that Nigeria could yet remain in contention for the 2026 World Cup, having already missed out on the 2022 edition in Qatar.
DR Congo, on the other hand, have featured only once at the FIFA World Cup, making their debut in 1974 under the name Zaire.
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