FIFA has handed fines to the national teams of Nigeria and DR Congo following disciplinary breaches during last year’s African 2026 World Cup play-off.
The penalties come after the dramatic 16 November 2025 match in Rabat, Morocco, which ended with DR Congo winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time.
According to FIFA’s judicial body, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was fined 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,270; £950) for failing to maintain proper "order and security" when fans threw objects onto the pitch. The actions breached Article 17.2.b and Article 17 of FIFA’s disciplinary code.
DR Congo’s Football Association (Fecofa) received a steeper fine of 5,000 Swiss francs after supporters were found using "laser pointers or similar electronic devices," violating Article 17.2.d. FIFA confirmed both federations were held responsible for these incidents.
The high-stakes African play-off final had already been surrounded by tension. Moments before Leopards captain Chancel Mbemba scored the decisive penalty, Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle accused DR Congo officials of attempting to use voodoo. After the defeat, the NFF lodged a formal protest with FIFA, questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players who had switched national allegiance.
Nigeria’s complaint focused on domestic DR Congo laws that reportedly do not allow dual citizenship for adults, raising doubts over the participation of Premier League stars Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe in the match.
With just two weeks left before the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico, which will determine the final World Cup spots, attention now turns to FIFA’s ruling on Nigeria’s protest over ineligible players. Despite the ongoing dispute, DR Congo has been scheduled to face the winner of New Caledonia and Jamaica on 31 March in the next qualifying round.
Leopards head coach Sebastien Desabre has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming match, welcoming back Yoane Wissa, who missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to a knee injury. DR Congo is chasing a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the nation played under the name Zaire.
Up to ten African nations could still qualify for the expanded 2026 World Cup in North America, adding further intensity to the final stages of the qualifiers.