The Democratic Republic of Congo have named their 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs, leaving out two gamers who had been highlighted in a proper grievance by the Nigeria Soccer Federation, a transfer that provides a brand new twist to an eligibility dispute nonetheless pending with FIFA.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre confirmed the squad on Wednesday, preserving the core group that beat Nigeria on penalties within the African play-off spherical, whereas recalling a number of gamers who had not featured within the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Captain Chancel Mbemba will lead the workforce, joined by skilled gamers together with Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy, as DR Congo intention for a second World Cup look.
The omission of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens is notable, as each had been named in Nigeria’s grievance over alleged eligibility breaches. Solely Matheu Epolo, the third participant talked about within the petition, has been included within the new squad.
Nigeria lodged their grievance after shedding the African play-off tie 4–3 on penalties, arguing that DR Congo had secured nationality switches for a number of overseas-born gamers at brief discover. The petition steered that some gamers had been known as up earlier than FIFA had formally cleared them to signify the nation.
Balikwisha had made his debut towards Nigeria and scored within the penalty shoot-out, whereas Stroeykens missed his likelihood on account of damage. Epolo solely made his debut a day after Nigeria’s grievance turned public.
Their absence from the brand new squad has sparked hypothesis that the Congolese federation could also be looking for to keep away from additional scrutiny whereas FIFA continues to evaluate the case.
Regardless of the controversy, DR Congo seem assured heading into the intercontinental play-offs. The omission of the 2 gamers has saved the eligibility dispute alive, even because the decisive matches in Guadalajara and Monterrey draw close to.
The state of affairs leaves Nigeria’s protest unresolved, with no indication but from FIFA that the results of the African play-off might be overturned, preserving the controversy on the centre of consideration as DR Congo put together for the subsequent stage of World Cup qualification.
