World football’s governing body, FIFA, has confirmed it is investigating the Democratic Republic of Congo national team over claims that several of its players may not have met the rules to switch their international allegiance.
The inquiry centers on allegations that the processes for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to switch his national team affiliation from England to DR Congo may not be fully complete and point to the report he still holds European passport, and that several other players did not fully satisfy the requirements of Congolese law, which is a necessary step under FIFA’s own regulations for changing nationality for football purposes. FIFA’s rules state that a player must have a “genuine link” to a new country, often involving birth, ancestry, or residency, and must also complete any required legal processes for naturalization in that nation.
The outcome of the investigation carries significant weight. If FIFA finds the DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) at fault, the team could face penalties, including the potential forfeiture of matches. This directly impacts their ongoing campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The situation is being closely watched in Nigeria. The Super Eagles played against DR Congo in the 2026 world Cup qualification. Any decision that alters the standings of played matches could affect Nigeria’s own path to the tournament. Nigerian football officials have stated they await FIFA’s final ruling on the matter.
FECOFA has yet to issue a detailed public statement on the specific allegations. The federation has previously expressed confidence in its players’ documents and eligibility.
FIFA has not provided a timeline for the investigation’s conclusion but emphasized that all member associations must strictly adhere to its statutes. The football world now awaits a decision that could reshape the competitive landscape in African World Cup qualifying.