THE Democratic Republic of Congo have named a squad of 26 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-offs, dropping three who were cited as part of Nigeria’s eligibility protest to FIFA.
DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles in the African play-offs final in Morocco in November, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) afterwards protested to FIFA that several of the players were ineligible due to the Central African country’s citizenship laws.
Head coach Sebastian Desabre retained most of the players that featured in the African play-offs, with the exception of three: Gideon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
Incidentally, all three were among the 17 foreign-born players the NFF petitioned FIFA over their eligibility status.
In the petition, the NFF accused the DR Congo FA of deceit in clearing players for its national team, despite their status contravening the country’s citizenship laws.
According to the NFF, some of the players were fraudulently registered and cleared just three days before the kick-off of the African playoffs, including Kalulu, Balikwisha and Stroeykens who have now been dropped.
However, the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki and Cedric Bakambu, all foreign-born, are in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs squad.
DR Congo released the World Cup intercontinental play-offs squad list yesterday, ignoring Nigeria’s protest and continuing their quest for a second-ever appearance at the global showpiece since their debut as Zaire in 1974.
FIFA has also not announced a ruling on Nigeria’s petition, going ahead to issue a schedule for the intercontinental play-offs, with DR Congo as African representatives.
The play-offs are scheduled for Mexico from March 26 to March 31.
DR Congo will on March 31 face the winners of the clash between Jamaica and New Caledonia for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup billed for the United States of America. Canada and Mexico in June and July.
