The Democratic Republic of the Congo have left out two players named in the Nigeria Football Federation complaint to FIFA after unveiling a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs, adding a new twist to an eligibility dispute that is still awaiting a verdict.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre announced the Leopards’ squad on Wednesday, keeping the core group of players who eliminated Nigeria national football team on penalties during the African play-off round. The coach also recalled several players who were absent from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Captain Chancel Mbemba will lead the side, joined by experienced players such as Cédric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy as DR Congo chase a second appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
However, the squad announcement was notable for the absence of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens. Both players were specifically highlighted in Nigeria’s formal complaint to FIFA over alleged eligibility violations.
Only Matheu Epolo, the third player prominently mentioned in the Nigerian petition, was included in the squad released by Desabre.
The Nigerian federation lodged its complaint after losing the African play-off tie to DR Congo 4–3 on penalties. The NFF alleged that the Congolese federation misled FIFA while securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players.
The petition, which became public on December 15, 2025, asked FIFA to investigate the matter and possibly disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process.
The document listed several foreign-born players who featured against Nigeria, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanael Mbuku and Bakambu in the starting line-up.
Substitutes in that match included Timothy Fayulu, Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Balikwisha and Stroeykens.
According to the complaint, several players received final clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match against Nigeria.
“It should be added for context that at least three of these players with unrenounced Belgian nationality — Balikwisha, Stroeykens and Epolo — received their final clearance to play for DRC between November 11 and 12, 2025, just before the play-off match against Nigeria on November 16, 2025,” the complaint stated.
The document also questioned why the players were called up before FIFA granted final approval for their nationality switch.
Balikwisha made his international debut against Nigeria and scored one of the penalties that sealed DR Congo’s progression, while Stroeykens did not earn his first senior cap after suffering an injury soon after the match.
Epolo, meanwhile, made his debut for the Leopards on December 16, 2025, a day after Nigeria’s complaint became public.
Their absence from the new squad — especially Balikwisha’s omission despite his decisive role in the previous round — has sparked speculation about whether the Congolese technical crew is trying to avoid additional scrutiny while the case remains unresolved.
Despite the controversy, the overall squad suggests DR Congo are preparing confidently for the intercontinental play-offs, with decisive matches scheduled in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
For observers in Nigeria, the omission of the two players may renew hopes that the federation’s protest is still under consideration, particularly as FIFA has yet to make a public ruling months after the complaint was submitted.
With the decisive fixtures approaching, the eligibility dispute continues to cast a shadow over DR Congo’s World Cup ambitions as the race for qualification nears its final stage.
