FIFA has imposed disciplinary sanctions on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the DR Congo Football Association following incidents during their 2026 World Cup qualification play-off clash last year, MySportDab Reports.
The match, played on November 16, 2025, at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, saw DR Congo national football team defeat the Nigeria national football team 4–3 on penalties to secure a spot in the intercontinental play-offs.
Nigeria had taken the lead through Frank Onyeka before Meschack Elia equalised for DR Congo, sending the contest to a dramatic penalty shootout.
In its latest disciplinary overview, FIFA confirmed that both federations were found guilty of separate breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the fiercely contested encounter.
The Nigerian federation was sanctioned for incidents relating to order and security after spectators were found to have thrown objects during the match. The offence falls under Articles 17 and 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and the NFF was fined 1,000 Swiss francs.
Meanwhile, the Congolese federation received a heavier fine of 5,000 Swiss francs after supporters were reported to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the game, an act that violates Article 17.2.d of the disciplinary code.
FIFA noted that disciplinary decisions are taken based on the circumstances of each case and may still be subject to appeal. The governing body added that while summaries of sanctions are made public for media purposes, official legal decisions are communicated directly to the federations involved.
The sanctions come amid continued scrutiny over Nigeria’s protest regarding the alleged use of ineligible players by DR Congo during the African play-off.
The NFF submitted a formal complaint to FIFA on December 15, 2025, claiming the Congolese federation misled authorities while processing nationality switches for several overseas-born players who featured in the decisive match.
Players listed in the complaint included Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy and Cedric Bakambu, among others.
Nigeria argued that some of the players only received clearance to represent DR Congo days before the play-off, despite being called up earlier for the fixture.
DR Congo are now preparing for the intercontinental play-off, where they will face either New Caledonia national football team or Jamaica national football team for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
However, two of the disputed players, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens. were omitted from the country’s latest 26-man squad.
