The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) unveiled a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs on Wednesday, notably omitting Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, two players highlighted in the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) formal complaint to FIFA over alleged eligibility breaches. The omission comes months after Nigeria lost the African play-off tie to the Leopards on penalties, and the development adds fresh intrigue to an eligibility dispute that remains unresolved, with FIFA yet to issue a verdict on the matter.
The squad announcement, made by head coach Sébastien Desabre, retained the core group of players who guided DR Congo past Nigeria while also recalling several names absent from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, signalling a mix of continuity and fresh adjustments as the team prepares for the decisive intercontinental clashes in Guadalajara and Monterrey. Captain Chancel Mbemba will lead the side alongside established figures such as Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa, and Samuel Moutoussamy, while only Matheu Epolo, the third player referenced in Nigeria’s complaint, has been included, leaving observers to speculate on the reasons behind Balikwisha and Stroeykens’ exclusion amid ongoing scrutiny.
The NFF’s complaint, publicly disclosed on December 15, 2025, alleged that DR Congo had misled FIFA in securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players, raising concerns about procedural compliance in the lead-up to the crucial play-off match. Nigeria argued that multiple players were granted clearance only days before the tie against the Super Eagles, despite having been called up earlier for the fixture. The petition stated: “It should be added for context that at least three of these players with unrenounced Belgian nationality (Michel-Ange Balikwisha, Mario Stroeykens, and Matheu 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 further highlighted Balikwisha’s debut during that match, noting, “Notably, Balikwisha played his debut match for DRC in this game against Nigeria.”
The NFF also questioned the timing of the call-ups, adding: “It is most curious, however, that these players had already been called up by DRC on November 1, 2025, to play in the play-offs, approximately eleven days before receiving FIFA clearance and approvals. This raises the question of what gave FECOFA the confidence to take the unusual step of calling up players of a foreign nationality for such crucial play-offs well before securing the necessary FIFA approval for those players. We request a formal investigation into these serious matters.”
The individual circumstances of the three players further complicate the narrative. Balikwisha, who played a decisive role in the penalty shoot-out that saw DR Congo progress, converted one of the spot-kicks against Nigeria, while Stroeykens, who was also named in the original complaint, missed his opportunity to debut due to injury soon after the match. Epolo, the only player among the three included in the new squad, made his international debut on December 16, 2025, a day after the complaint became public.
Observers have noted that the omission of Balikwisha and Stroeykens in the newly announced squad could be interpreted as a cautious move by the Congolese coaching staff, potentially aimed at avoiding further scrutiny from FIFA while the eligibility dispute remains unresolved. Despite these absences, the squad selection indicates that DR Congo is approaching the intercontinental play-offs with confidence, retaining a strong core of experienced players who have been instrumental in their qualification journey.
‘The controversy continues to cast a shadow over DR Congo’s World Cup ambitions as the decisive matches draw near. While Nigeria’s complaint remains pending before FIFA, there has been no official indication that the result of the African play-off will be overturned, leaving the Super Eagles and their supporters in a state of anticipation.
Analysts suggest that the squad changes may reflect tactical considerations or a deliberate attempt to mitigate potential eligibility challenges, but they underscore the unresolved tensions surrounding player qualifications. As DR Congo prepares to face their opponents in Mexico, the eligibility dispute, combined with the absence of key figures previously central to the NFF’s petition, continues to dominate discussions in both Nigerian and international football circles, highlighting the ongoing complexities of nationality, clearance, and compliance in world football.