FIFA Fines Nigeria, DR Congo Over World Cup Play-Off Violations

Four months after the controversial 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off final between the Nigeria national football team and the DR Congo national football team, the FIFA has sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation over disciplinary incidents recorded during the match.

A report by PUNCH Sports Extra recalled that DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in Morocco to progress to the intercontinental play-offs.
According to FIFA’s latest disciplinary overview for the World Cup qualifiers, both the NFF and the Congolese FA were found guilty of separate infractions during the match played on November 16, 2025.
FIFA stated that Nigeria was punished for breaching rules relating to order and security at matches, specifically the throwing of objects by spectators under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. As a result, the NFF was fined 1,000 Swiss francs.
The DR Congo federation, however, received a heavier sanction after its supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match.
The act violated Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, prompting FIFA to impose a 5,000 Swiss francs fine on the Congolese body.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle also accused DR Congo officials of resorting to voodoo following Nigeria’s defeat.
Meanwhile, the sanctions have heightened expectations surrounding the anticipated verdict of world football’s governing body on the NFF’s protest over the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo during the African play-off, particularly in the final.
Nigeria filed the complaint after losing the play-off, claiming the Congolese federation misled FIFA while securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players.
The petition, submitted on December 15, 2025, urged FIFA to investigate the matter and potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process.
The Nigerian federation’s document listed several 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, along with substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
In the complaint, which was publicly released by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria argued that several of the players received clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match despite having been called up earlier for the fixture.
While DR Congo prepare 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 — the team has dropped two of the disputed players, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, from their 26-man squad. (The Punch)