KEY POINTS
- FIFA fines NFF 1,000 Swiss francs for spectator object-throwing during the November match.
- DR Congo receive a heavier 5,000 Swiss franc fine for laser pointer use by supporters.
- Nigeria’s separate protest over DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players remains pending.
Four months after DR Congo knocked Nigeria out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off on penalties in Morocco, FIFA has handed down fines to both federations for disciplinary infractions that marred the November 16, 2025 final.
The FIFA sanctions Nigeria DR Congo decisions, drawn from the governing body’s latest disciplinary overview for the World Cup qualifiers, confirm that both the Nigeria Football Federation and the Congolese Football Federation violated the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the match. DR Congo beat the Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
Ineligible players protest still hanging
Nigeria’s punishment covers a breach of order and security at matches involving the throwing of objects by spectators, falling under Articles 17 and 17.2.b of the Disciplinary Code. FIFA fined the NFF 1,000 Swiss francs. DR Congo drew a stiffer penalty after their supporters used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match, a violation of Article 17.2.d. FIFA fined the Congolese federation 5,000 Swiss francs.
The FIFA sanctions Nigeria DR Congo fines land against the backdrop of a larger unresolved dispute. Nigeria lodged a formal complaint on December 15, 2025, asking FIFA to investigate whether DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off, including the decisive final.
The NFF’s petition listed numerous foreign-born players who featured for DR Congo, arguing that several of them obtained clearance to represent the Congolese side only days before the fixture despite receiving earlier call-ups. Players named in the complaint include Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Cédric Bakambu, and Noah Sadiki, among others.
DR Congo drops two disputed players
DR Congo now prepare for the World Cup intercontinental play-offs, where they face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31 for a place at the tournament. Notably, the Congolese federation dropped two of the players Nigeria flagged in its complaint, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, from their 26-man squad for the play-offs.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle had also accused DR Congo officials of using voodoo following the defeat, adding further colour to what remains one of the most contested qualification finishes in recent African football history.
