FIFA Sanctions Nigeria and DR Congo Over Crowd Incidents

FIFA has imposed sanctions on Nigeria and DR Congo following crowd incidents during their 2026 World Cup play-off match. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was found guilty of failing to maintain order and security, resulting in a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs.

In contrast, the DR Congo Football Federation faced a stiffer penalty of 5,000 Swiss francs for using a laser pointer and similar electronic devices during the match, which violated Article 17, Section 2(d) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code. The match ended in a draw, and the controversy surrounding the fixture has continued, particularly with Nigeria's coach, Eric Chell, accusing DR Congo of using voodoo during the game.

Additionally, Nigeria has filed a protest with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the qualification process, with a petition submitted on December 15, 2025, urging an investigation into the matter.