The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) Football Federation has come under intense scrutiny following allegations that it fielded ineligible players during its decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The Leopards defeated Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in the CAF playoff final to secure a place in the Intercontinental Playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico. However, the victory has been overshadowed by mounting reports suggesting that DR Congo may have breached FIFA and domestic eligibility rules.

The controversy has sparked widespread debate globally, with suggestions that DR Congo could face severe sanctions if found guilty, potentially ending their World Cup hopes altogether.

According to reports, as many as nine DR Congo players who featured in the playoff final were ineligible.

At the centre of the allegations are six Europe-born players who are said to have switched nationality but allegedly failed to formally renounce their foreign citizenships, a requirement under DR Congo’s law, which does not recognise dual nationality.

Below is a brief profile of the six DR Congo players reportedly at the centre of the eligibility crisis:

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)

Born in Croydon, England, Wan-Bissaka represented England at the U-17 and U-21 levels before switching allegiance to DR Congo in September 2025. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) contends that he still holds an English passport, which would violate Congolese law requiring sole nationality for eligibility.

Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht)

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was born in Belgium to a Belgian father and a Congolese mother. Although FIFA approved his switch of allegiance in November 2025, Nigeria alleges that Stroeykens retains a Belgian passport and did not complete the formal renunciation process required under DR Congo’s nationality laws.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic)

Born in Belgium and a former Belgian youth international, Balikwisha played a decisive role in the playoff final by converting the penultimate penalty against Nigeria. His eligibility is being challenged amid claims that he continues to hold Belgian nationality despite switching to DR Congo.

Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège)

Also born in Belgium, Epolo represented Belgium at the 2022 UEFA Under-17 Championship. The goalkeeper received his first senior call-up to DR Congo in November 2025. His inclusion is being questioned on similar dual-nationality grounds.

Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich Town)

Born in DR Congo but raised in England, Tuanzebe previously represented England at the youth level before switching allegiance in 2024. The NFF claims he still possesses a British passport, potentially breaching DR Congo’s strict non-dual citizenship policy.

Arthur Masuaku (Beşiktaş)

Born in France and a former France youth international, Masuaku has been a long-serving member of the DR Congo national team. He has reportedly been flagged over concerns regarding his French pas’port and whether his documentation complied with nationality rules, particularly for players above the age threshold for passport-based eligibility without formal renunciation.

FIFA is yet to issue a public ruling on the matter. However, the case has intensified scrutiny of player eligibility processes in African football and could have far-reaching implications for the final qualification places for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (BusinessDay)

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