Explosive Allegations: The DR Congo Fake Nationality Scandal That Could Send Super Eagles to World Cup 2026 Playoff

FIFA Launches Investigation into Congolese Squad Eligibility

The path to the World Cup 2026 playoff has been thrown into chaos following explosive allegations surrounding the DR Congo national team, who recently defeated the Super Eagles (Nigeria) to claim Africa’s slot in the intercontinental qualifying round.

DR Congo Fake Nationality claims have prompted a full-scale investigation by FIFA, putting the Central African nation at severe risk of expulsion from international competition a development that could grant the Super Eagles a stunning reprieve.

The Core of the Nationality Crisis

The controversy centers on the nationality status of up to six players within the DR Congo squad. The issue stems from the nation’s strict citizenship laws. While dual nationality is temporarily permitted for those born abroad who must choose by age 21, the law generally requires Congolese citizens who acquire another citizenship to renounce their former one.

According to reliable reports, several key players who participated in the decisive qualifier against Nigeria failed to complete this crucial legal requirement. They reportedly crossed the age of 21 while still holding the passports of other countries, making them ineligible to represent DR Congo under FIFA regulations. FIFA’s rules are clear: simply holding a passport is not sufficient to confirm eligibility if local nationality laws are violated.

Super Eagles Wait as Expulsion Looms

The implications of the DR Congo Fake Nationality scandal are monumental. FIFA is not only investigating the violation of nationality laws but also looking into serious allegations of falsification of documents for at least one player.

Should the investigation conclude that DR Congo is guilty, the team faces severe sanctions, potentially including expulsion from upcoming international tournaments, starting with the Intercontinental playoff scheduled for March.

In a dramatic turn of events, Nigeria’s Super Eagles, the team defeated by DR Congo in the final round of the African qualifiers, are poised to take their place in the World Cup 2026 playoff. For Nigerian football fans, what was once a missed opportunity could turn into an unexpected lifeline, dependent entirely on the findings of the world governing body.

As the football world awaits FIFA’s ruling, the future of DR Congo’s participation in the road to the World Cup 2026 hangs precariously in the balance, while the Super Eagles remain on standby for a second chance.