The Democratic Republic of Congo have left out two players cited in Nigeria’s complaint to FIFA as they announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs, adding another layer to a dispute that is still awaiting a ruling from world football’s governing body.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre released the Leopards’ squad on Wednesday, keeping much of the team that edged Nigeria national football team on penalties in the African play-off round. Several players who missed the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco have also been recalled.
Captain Chancel Mbemba heads the squad alongside established internationals such as Cédric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy as DR Congo chase a return to the World Cup.
Yet the squad list is notable for the absence of Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens, two of the players Nigeria highlighted in its petition to FIFA over alleged eligibility breaches.
Only Matheu Epolo, the third player prominently mentioned in the complaint, has been retained in the squad.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed the protest after DR Congo eliminated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in the African play-off tie. The federation argued that the Congolese FA misled FIFA while securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players.
In the petition, which surfaced publicly on December 15, 2025 through journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria asked FIFA to investigate the matter and consider disqualifying DR Congo from the qualification process.
The document listed several foreign-born players who appeared against the Super Eagles, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanael Mbuku and Cédric Bakambu in the starting line-up, with substitutes including Timothy Fayulu, Matheu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.
In the complaint, Nigeria argued that several players were granted clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match, despite being called up earlier.
“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 read.
“Notably, Balikwisha played his debut match for DRC in this game against Nigeria.”
The document also raised concerns about the timeline of the call-ups.
“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,” the NFF added.
“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.”
Balikwisha made his debut against Nigeria and converted one of the penalties that sealed DR Congo’s progress, while Stroeykens failed to win his first senior cap after suffering an injury soon after the game.
Epolo later made his international debut for the Leopards on December 16, 2025, a day after Nigeria’s complaint became public.
Their absence from the latest squad, particularly Balikwisha’s omission despite his role in the previous round, is likely to fuel further speculation while the case remains unresolved.