Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane will not miss any World Cup games despite being handed a two-game ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday.

The ban was confirmed by the Algerian Football Federation, and stems from incidents after Algeria’s 2-0 loss to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal in Morocco on Jan. 10. Zidane, 27, will miss two games during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers that begin in September.

There had been concern that any ban might impact Zidane’s availability for Algeria’s opening World Cup matches against defending champion Argentina on June 16 and Jordan on June 22. Instead, the son of legendary France international Zinedine Zidane will be sidelined for key qualifying matches for the next continental campaign.

In addition to Luca Zidane’s ban, defender Rafik Belkhili was handed a four-game ban. Two of those games have been suspended, with the remaining two to be served during AFCON qualifying. The Algerian federation said it has already begun the appeal process after being levied with fines totaling $100,000 for the behavior of some fans, players and team officials.

Five Algerian players were shown yellow cards, and several confronted Senegalese referee Issa Sy after the match. Zidane was also seen shoving Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika, while Belghali followed Sy down the tunnel.

“Following these decisions, the Algerian Football Federation immediately initiated the appeals process stipulated by the regulations in force to contest these sanctions,” the federation’s statement read. “The FAF will follow developments in this case very closely and reaffirms its commitment to defending the interests of Algerian football, in strict compliance with regulatory and institutional channels.”

The CAF is also investigating the incidents that led to more than a 15-minute delay in the final when several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty kick called in favor of Morocco. Following the delay, Morocco missed the penalty kick and Senegal won the game with a goal in extra time.

-Reuters

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Nigeria have submitted a petition to FIFA alleging the Democratic Republic of Congo fielded ineligible players in their African qualification play-off for next year’s World Cup, a federation (NFF) spokesperson said.

FIFA World Cup – CAF Qualifiers – Playoffs – Final – Nigeria v Democratic Republic of Congo – Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco – November 16, 2025. Democratic Republic of Congo players line up during a penalty shootout REUTERS/Abdelmjid Rizkou

DR Congo beat Nigeria on penalties last month to keep alive their hopes of appearing at the tournament in North America, and are set to compete in an inter-confederation playoff in March where six teams will chase two places at the 48-team finals.

The NFF said several dual-nationality players had been cleared to play for DR Congo without meeting the required criteria.

“The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual nationality,” NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi told reporters.

“There are so many of them that have European passports, some of them French passports, some of them Dutch passports.

“FIFA regulations say once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. As far as we are concerned, they are eligible that is why they are cleared by FIFA.

“But our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them because it is not the responsibility of FIFA to make sure that the regulations of Congo are abided by.

“FIFA goes by its own regulations, and it was on the basis of what was presented to FIFA that they cleared them.

“But we are saying that it was fraudulent.”

DR Congo’s federation rejected the allegations.

“If you cannot win on the pitch, then do not try to win from the back door,” the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) said in a social media post.

“The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence. Not with lawyers tricks. Bring it on.”

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of business hours.

The World Cup will in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Related Story: FIFA overturns three Malaysia matches amid player eligibility scandal

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has carried a high financial cost, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) missing out on a guaranteed minimum of USD 10.5 million following FIFA’s approval of a record USD 655 million prize money pool for the tournament.

FIFA confirmed that every one of the 48 teams that qualify for the expanded World Cup in North America will receive USD 1.5 million in preparation funds, in addition to a minimum participation payout of USD 9 million for teams finishing between 33rd and 48th place.

 This ensures that each participating Member Association earns at least USD 10.5 million simply for qualifying.

Nigeria’s absence from the tournament means the NFF will receive none of these funds, a significant blow at a time when many African federations rely heavily on FIFA competitions to support national team programmes, grassroots development and administrative costs.

Beyond the guaranteed participation fee, deeper progression at the World Cup would have offered Nigeria the chance to earn far more.

Teams reaching the round of 16 will earn USD 15 million, while those advancing to the quarter-finals collect USD 19 million. The champions will receive USD 50 million, with runners-up pocketing USD 33 million.

The loss goes beyond prize money. World Cup qualification typically boosts commercial revenue through sponsorships, broadcast exposure and merchandising, while also strengthening a federation’s negotiating power with partners.

Nigeria, a three-time African champion and one of the continent’s most marketable football brands, will miss out on the global visibility that comes with participation in football’s biggest event.

The financial setback also has implications for youth and grassroots development. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stressed that revenues from the World Cup are being reinvested into global football, including the introduction of new U-15 festival-style tournaments for boys and girls from 2026.

Federations competing at the World Cup are often better positioned to leverage such programmes and funding opportunities.

For the NFF, the missed opportunity underscores the growing cost of failure to qualify for major tournaments in an era of expanding FIFA revenues.

With the 2026 World Cup offering unprecedented financial rewards, Nigeria’s absence represents not only a sporting disappointment but also a major economic loss for the country’s football ecosystem.

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