FIFA has dismissed Nigeria's formal protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) regarding the eligibility of several players in their 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff, upholding the original result and officially eliminating the Super Eagles from contention for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The decision, reported on December 26, 2025, confirms DR Congo's 4-3 penalty shootout victory (after a 1-1 draw) in the CAF playoff final held on November 16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. That win advanced DR Congo to the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, where they will compete for one of the final two spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged the appeal on December 16, 2025, alleging that up to nine DR Congo players—including high-profile names like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and others who switched allegiance from European nations—were ineligible. Nigeria argued that these players violated Congolese domestic law, which prohibits dual citizenship, and claimed FIFA had been misled during the clearance process. NFF officials, including general secretary Mohammed Sanusi, maintained the case was "very tight" and grounded in regulations, not sour grapes over the on-field defeat.
FIFA's adjudication body reviewed evidence from both federations and concluded there was insufficient proof of violations under its statutes or CAF rules. All disputed players had been pre-cleared by FIFA based on holding valid Congolese passports, which aligns with international eligibility requirements—regardless of national citizenship laws. No points were awarded to Nigeria, no replay ordered, and the result stands unchanged.
The Congolese Football Federation (Fecofa) welcomed the ruling, reiterating full compliance and previously accusing Nigeria of attempting to "win from the back door" through legal means rather than on the pitch.
Nigerian stakeholders expressed disappointment but pledged to respect the decision. Fans and officials urged focus on rebuilding the team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, starting December 21, 2025. This marks the first time Nigeria has missed consecutive World Cups since the 1990s, following failure to qualify for Qatar 2022.
The controversy highlights tensions between FIFA's global eligibility framework—prioritizing passports and no prior senior caps for another nation—and stricter domestic laws in some countries. Similar disputes have arisen in African qualifiers, with precedents like point deductions for other nations but rarely retroactive disqualifications without clear fraud.
DR Congo now proceeds to the intercontinental playoffs, maintaining their path to a potential historic World Cup appearance. Nigeria's elimination is a significant blow, denying the three-time African champions participation in the expanded tournament and associated financial benefits, including FIFA prize money.
As the Super Eagles shift attention to AFCON defense, the ruling closes a dramatic chapter in African qualification, underscoring the importance of on-pitch performance amid administrative challenges.
