DR Congo Squad Announced, Omit Players in FIFA Complaint

The DR Congo national football team, under the guidance of head coach Bastien Desabre, has announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental playoff. Notably, the squad excludes Michel Ang Balikwisha and Mario Stroeyken, two players highlighted in Nigeria's FIFA complaint regarding eligibility breaches.

Nigeria's complaint, made public on December 15, 2025, alleges that several foreign-born players, including Matheu Epolo, were improperly cleared to represent DR Congo. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is seeking an investigation from FIFA, which could potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process.

The squad features key players such as captain Chancel Mbemba and Cédric Bakambu, who are expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming matches. The absence of Balikwisha, who previously contributed to DR Congo's progress against Nigeria, raises further questions about the ongoing eligibility dispute.