FIFA fine Nigeria and DR Congo over World Cup play-off trouble

[p]The final at the Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat saw the Leopards secure a place in the intercontinental play-offs after defeating the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nigeria/EBE2Xb3l/"]Super Eagles[/a] 4-3 on penalties. Meschack Elia had cancelled out Frank Onyeka’s opener to force the shootout.[/p][p]In its latest disciplinary overview for the qualifiers, the world football governing body said both federations were found guilty of separate offences during the keenly contested fixture played on November 16th, 2025.[/p][p]Nigeria was penalised for breaches relating to order and security at matches after spectators were found to have thrown objects during the game. The offence falls under Articles 17 and 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, with the Nigerian federation fined 1,000 Swiss francs.[/p][p]On the other hand, the Congolese federation received a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match. The act contravened Article 17.2.d of the disciplinary code, prompting FIFA to impose a 5,000 Swiss franc fine.[/p][p]FIFA noted that disciplinary decisions are taken based on the circumstances of each case and may still be subject to appeal. It added that the sanctions summary released publicly is mainly intended to inform the media, while the official legal decisions are communicated directly to the federations involved.[/p][p]The disciplinary sanctions come amid growing attention over the NFF’s protest against the alleged use of ineligible players by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/d-r-congo/phn9mm8H/"]DR Congo[/a] during the African play-off, particularly in the final.[/p][p]Nigeria lodged a formal complaint with FIFA on December 15th, 2025, arguing that the Congolese federation misled the governing body while securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players. [/p][p]The petition called on FIFA to investigate the matter and consider disqualifying DR Congo from the qualification process.[/p][p]The document, made public by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, listed several foreign-born players who featured against the Super Eagles, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal'ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanael Mbuku and Cedric Bakambu in the starting line-up, as well as substitutes such as Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gedeon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.[/p][p]The West Africans argued that some of the players only received clearance to represent DR Congo days before the decisive play-off match, despite having been called up earlier for the fixture.[/p][p]Meanwhile, as DR Congo prepare for the intercontinental play-off, where they are scheduled to face either [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/new-caledonia/0d8yIVUN/"]New Caledonia[/a] or [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/jamaica/CWmDb3zj/"]Jamaica[/a] for a place at the World Cup, two of the disputed players, Balikwisha and Stroeykens, have been omitted from the country’s latest 26-man squad.[/p][image alt="Shina Oludare" id="77f4edee-493b-45e2-b24b-0d9a1e05766a" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="b917e481-ad39-45d3-8885-2c735ed53fc5" original-width="1200" original-height="381" /]