FIFA yesterday imposed sanctions on both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Congolese Football Association (CFA) after determining that each federation committed separate disciplinary violations during their 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match held in Morocco on November 16, 2025.
In its latest disciplinary report concerning the World Cup qualifiers, FIFA found that the NFF was penalized for failing to maintain order and security at the match, specifically due to spectators throwing objects. This violation falls under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, resulting in a fine of 1,000 Swiss Francs for Nigeria.
Conversely, the Congolese federation faced a more severe penalty after its supporters were found to have used laser pointers and similar electronic devices during the game. This action violated Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, leading to a fine of 5,000 Swiss Francs for the CFA.
FIFA clarified that disciplinary measures are based on the specifics of each case and may be subject to appeal. The organization also added that the summary of sanctions is primarily intended for media information, while official legal decisions are communicated directly to the involved parties.
The Nigeria-DR Congo match was one of several World Cup qualifying games worldwide that faced disciplinary scrutiny, with various national associations and players receiving sanctions for offenses ranging from crowd disturbances to player misconduct.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong