FIFA fines Nigeria, DR Congo over World Cup play-off incidents
FIFA have sanctioned both the Nigeria Football Federation and the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association following disciplinary incidents during their disputed African play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The penalties were confirmed in FIFA’s latest disciplinary report on the qualification campaign, months after the tense encounter between the Nigeria national football team and the DR Congo national football team.
Match incidents trigger disciplinary action
The decisive play-off match, staged in Morocco on November 16, 2025, ended in dramatic fashion as DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
However, the match was overshadowed by several incidents involving supporters from both sides.
Following its investigation, FIFA ruled that Nigerian fans threw objects inside the stadium during the match, breaching Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. As a result, the Nigerian federation received a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs.
DR Congo’s football federation was handed a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the fixture.
The offence violated Article 17.2.d of FIFA’s disciplinary regulations, leading to a 5,000 Swiss francs fine.
Nigeria files protest over player eligibility
Despite the disciplinary ruling, tensions surrounding the match remain unresolved.
Nigeria has already submitted a formal complaint to FIFA challenging the eligibility of several players who represented DR Congo in the decisive play-off.
The protest, filed on December 15, 2025, alleges that the Congolese federation provided misleading information while securing nationality switches for certain overseas-born players who featured in the match.
In its petition, Nigeria requested a full investigation and urged FIFA to consider disqualifying DR Congo from the qualification process if any irregularities are confirmed.
Meanwhile, DR Congo are continuing preparations for the intercontinental stage of the qualifying campaign.
They are set to face the winner of the play-off between the New Caledonia national football team and the Jamaica national football team on March 31 in a decisive match for a place at the World Cup.