Confirmed: FIFA fines Nigeria and DR Congo over 2026 World Cup play-off drama

FIFA has punished both Nigeria Football Federation and Congolese Association Football Federation following disciplinary problems during the controversial 2026 World Cup African play-off between the Super Eagles and the Leopards, Afrik-Foot reports.

The sanctions come four months after the tense play-off final, played in Morocco on November 16, 2025, where DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties to move forward in the qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In its latest disciplinary report on the qualifiers, FIFA confirmed that both football federations committed different offences during the match.

Nigeria was found guilty of failing to properly control the behaviour of spectators. According to FIFA, some fans threw objects during the match, an action that breaks Article 17 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. Because of this, the NFF was fined 1,000 Swiss francs.

The Congolese federation received a stronger punishment. Their supporters were reported to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the game. This is also against FIFA’s disciplinary rules, specifically Article 17.2.d, and led to a 5,000 Swiss francs fine.

Although the fines are relatively small, the ruling shows that FIFA considered the incidents serious enough to warrant official disciplinary action.

The game itself was already surrounded by tension. After the defeat, Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle even suggested that DR Congo officials used ‘voodoo’ during the match, a claim that added more drama to the already heated encounter.

However, the disciplinary sanctions may only be a small part of the wider controversy surrounding the match.

Nigeria still waiting for FIFA verdict on eligibility protest

While FIFA has already punished both federations for match-day behaviour, the most important decision in the dispute is still pending.

The NFF has submitted an official protest asking FIFA to investigate whether DR Congo used ineligible players during the African play-off.

Nigeria filed the petition on December 15, 2025. In the complaint, the NFF argued that the Congolese federation may have misled FIFA when arranging nationality switches for several players born outside DR Congo.

The document listed a large group of players who featured in the match, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku and Cédric Bakambu, as well as substitutes such as Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.

According to Nigeria’s claim, some of these players received clearance to represent DR Congo only a few days before the decisive play-off match, even though they had already been called up earlier.

The NFF believes this could break FIFA eligibility rules. As a result, Nigeria asked the governing body to investigate the situation and possibly disqualify DR Congo from the qualification race.For now, FIFA has not yet released a final decision on that complaint.

Interestingly, DR Congo have already dropped Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens from their latest squad as they prepare for the next stage of the qualification process. They are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31, with a place at the World Cup at stake.

FIFA has explained that disciplinary decisions are made after carefully reviewing the circumstances of each case. The governing body also noted that its public report is mainly meant to inform the media, while the official legal decisions are sent directly to the football federations involved.

The wait, though, continues for Nigerian football fans. The sanctions over crowd behaviour may now be settled, but the much bigger question – whether DR Congo fielded eligible players against Nigeria – is still waiting for FIFA’s final verdict.