By Abuja, Nigeria
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) is set to rule on Nigeria’s petition against Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) over alleged use of ineligible players, in their world Cup qualifier.
FIFA’s meeting scheduled for February 16 is expected to address numerous issues including the Nigeria Football Federation’s protest against DR Congo, with the outcome potentially reinstating the Super Eagles into the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico later this month, where one of the last World Cup tickets is on offer.
A coding to the NFF, the protest is centred on allegations that six Congolese players were ineligible during last year’s 2026 World Cup African play-offs, where Nigeria lost on penalties in Morocco, insisting that they have evidence to back their claim.
“We believe that we have a chance; that is why we petitioned. If we knew we didn’t have a chance, we wouldn’t have petitioned,” NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said, stressing that Nigeria followed due process in submitting documents and legal arguments.
With both Nigeria and DR Congo reportedly prepared to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if dissatisfied, world football’s governing body is said to be treating the file with exceptional caution to avoid reputational damage.
According to reports from BBC Sports, Nigeria argues that the Congolese FA misrepresented facts regarding the nationality status of certain players, particularly given DR Congo’s domestic law prohibiting dual citizenship.
According to the NFF, FIFA may have been “deceived” into clearing the players, even if paperwork appeared valid on the surface. A successful appeal would see Nigeria face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia in Mexico, with a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico at stake.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has suggested that the final recourse for Nigeria and DR Congo could be the Court of Arbitration for Sport following FIFA’s verdict.
“It requires a lot of things, and by the time it is finally decided, whether Nigeria wins or DR Congo wins, I believe the case might even go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Dikko said.
