Nigeria’s football authorities have escalated their World Cup dispute after appealing FIFA’s reported rejection of a petition challenging DR Congo’s qualification, in a case that could reshape the country’s chances of reaching the 2026 tournament.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed it has lodged an appeal following FIFA’s position on its complaint over alleged ineligible players fielded by DR Congo during the decisive African play-off clash.
The controversy stems from Nigeria’s penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in November 2025, a result that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of automatic qualification. The NFF had subsequently petitioned FIFA, alleging that several Congolese players did not meet eligibility requirements despite being cleared to play.
According to officials familiar with the process, the federation insists the matter is far from over, maintaining that its appeal seeks a full review of FIFA’s handling of the case. The governing body had earlier faced pressure to deliver a decisive ruling, with stakeholders arguing that the issue goes beyond disciplinary sanctions already imposed on both teams.
Nigeria’s position has consistently centred on claims that FIFA may have been “misled” in approving nationality switches for certain players, a stance the NFF believes undermines the integrity of the qualification process.
While FIFA sanctioned both federations for separate infractions during the match — including crowd misconduct and the use of laser devices — the eligibility dispute remains the core of Nigeria’s appeal.
Football analysts say the outcome of the appeal could have far-reaching implications, not only for Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions but also for how eligibility rules are enforced across international competitions.
For now, FIFA has yet to issue a final public decision on the appeal, leaving both Nigeria and DR Congo in a state of uncertainty as preparations for the next phase of qualification continue.
