Nigeria is caught between belief and bitterness as fans await a crucial verdict from over allegations that fielded ineligible players during the 2026 World Cup play-offs.
The Leopards edged the on penalties last November, sealing a place in the intercontinental qualifiers for the tournament set to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. But months later, that victory is under a cloud.
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Nigeria’s Appeal: A Second Chance or a Shortcut?
In December, the formally petitioned FIFA, alleging that DR Congo breached eligibility rules by selecting players such as and .
Nigeria’s argument is simple — Congolese law does not recognise dual citizenship, yet some players reportedly hold European passports.
Among Super Eagles supporters, opinions are split. Some cling to the hope of a dramatic reprieve. Others are uneasy, questioning whether World Cup qualification should ever be decided in committee rooms rather than on the pitch.
FIFA Silent, Speculation Loud
FIFA has confirmed the case is under review but has offered no timeline for a decision. The NFF has pushed back against rumours that the protest has already been dismissed.
“Any claims that a ruling has been made are false,” said NFF communications director Demola Olajire.
“FIFA has not communicated any verdict to us or to the Congolese federation.”
NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi has gone further, insisting FIFA may have been misled during the clearance process.
“The Congolese law says you cannot have dual nationality,” Sanusi said.
“Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them.”
DR Congo’s response was swift — dismissing Nigeria’s complaint as an attempt to “win via the back door.”
A Familiar African Football Battle
This dispute is far from unprecedented. African World Cup qualifiers have often spilled beyond the touchline, exposing a long-standing fault line between FIFA’s eligibility statutes and stricter national citizenship laws.
FIFA regulations allow players to switch national associations — once — provided the governing body approves the request and the player holds a valid passport for the country they represent. Crucially, FIFA rules do not prohibit holding multiple passports, even when domestic laws do.
That grey area is exactly where Nigeria’s case lives.
What Could FIFA Decide?
Once a formal protest reaches FIFA, three outcomes are possible:
- Case dismissed: DR Congo’s qualification stands. End of story.
- Administrative sanctions: FIFA may find procedural issues, issue fines or warnings, but leave results untouched.
- Sporting sanctions: In extreme cases — especially involving misrepresentation — FIFA or CAF could overturn results or award the tie to Nigeria.
History suggests sporting sanctions are rare, but not impossible.
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Why This Decision Matters
For Nigeria, the stakes could not be higher. Despite a bronze medal at the 2025 AFCON, the Super Eagles are staring at a second straight World Cup absence — an unthinkable outcome for one of Africa’s giants.
For DR Congo, this run represents a once-in-a-generation chance to return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.
The idea that an administrative ruling could rewrite what was settled on the pitch may leave neutrals uneasy — but for Nigeria, hope now rests not on goals or penalties, but on paperwork.
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