FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation over disciplinary incidents during their disputed African play-off final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
DR Congo national football team defeated the Nigeria national football team 4–3 on penalties in Morocco on Nov. 16, 2025, to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
According to FIFA’s disciplinary overview for the World Cup qualifiers, both federations committed separate infractions during the match.
FIFA said Nigeria was penalized for breaching match order and security rules after spectators threw objects during the game, violating Articles 17 and 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The NFF was fined 1,000 Swiss francs.
The Congolese federation received a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match, an offense under Article 17.2.d of the disciplinary code. FIFA fined the DR Congo FA 5,000 Swiss francs.
Following the defeat, Eric Chelle, coach of the Super Eagles, accused DR Congo officials of using voodoo during the match.
The sanctions come as FIFA continues to review a protest filed by the NFF alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off, particularly in the final.
Nigeria submitted the complaint on Dec. 15, 2025, asking FIFA to investigate whether the Congolese federation improperly secured nationality switches for several overseas-born players and to consider disqualifying the team from the qualification process.
The petition listed players who featured against Nigeria, 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 lineup.
Substitutes included Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
In the complaint, which was made public by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria argued that several players received clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match despite having been called up earlier.
DR Congo are preparing for the intercontinental play-offs, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semifinal between New Caledonia national football team and the Jamaica national football team on March 31 for a place at the World Cup.
However, the team has dropped two of the disputed players — Balikwisha and Stroeykens — from its 26-man squad for the upcoming matches.
