DR Congo Recalls Players Amid Nigeria Eligibility Protest

The DR Congo national football team has announced the recall of several players whose eligibility has been questioned by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff. The team, coached by S.

Bastien Desabre, is set to compete against the winner of the playoff between Jamaica and New Caledonia on March 31, 2026, for a chance to secure a World Cup ticket. Key players in the spotlight include Michel Ang, Balikwisha, Mario Stroeyken, and Matheu Epolo, whose eligibility was reportedly approved by FIFA.

Balikwisha and Stroeyken, both Belgian-born, received FIFA's approval for their switch to DR Congo shortly before the November 2025 playoff. Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding player eligibility, the DR Congo team aims to secure its first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.