DR Congo Excludes Players Amid Nigeria's FIFA Complaint

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs, omitting players Michel Ang Balikwisha and Mario Stroeyken, who were highlighted in a complaint by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) regarding eligibility breaches. The NFF's complaint, submitted to FIFA, alleges that several foreign-born players represented DR Congo without proper clearance, including Balikwisha and Stroeyken.

The NFF seeks an investigation into the matter, which could potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process. The complaint emphasizes that Balikwisha made his debut against Nigeria and converted a penalty in that match, raising concerns about the procedural compliance of the Congolese Football Federation.

Despite the absence of Balikwisha and Stroeyken in the latest squad, the situation remains unresolved as FIFA has not provided any official indication regarding the outcome of the NFF's complaint.