FIFA Dismisses NFF Petition Against DR Congo

FIFA Dismisses NFF Petition Against DR Congo player eligibility dispute.
Super Eagles miss intercontinental play-offs for 2026 World Cup.
NFF may appeal decision at Court of Arbitration.

The Nigeria Football Federation has lost its petition against the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association over alleged player ineligibility, effectively ending the Super Eagles’ hopes of returning to contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the intercontinental play-off route.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a reliable source (received exclusively by Naijanews) confirmed that world football governing body FIFA reached its final decision on Monday, 17 February, and formally communicated the verdict to all federations involved in the dispute.

However, FIFA reportedly directed the parties not to make any public announcement, stating that only the global body has the authority to officially release the decision.

According to the source, FIFA ruled that the NFF’s argument was not strong enough to prevent DR Congo from progressing to the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March. The petition filed by Nigeria was therefore dismissed.

The ruling means the Super Eagles will not participate in the six-nation intercontinental play-off tournament, ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

The dispute followed Nigeria’s 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to DR Congo in Morocco last November during the African play-off final. On 15 December 2025, the NFF formally petitioned FIFA, alleging that six Congolese players who had recently switched international allegiance were ineligible to feature in the decisive fixture.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, had said: “We have a good case. As far as we are concerned, we have a strong case, and we are awaiting FIFA’s decision on the complaints we have lodged.”

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, also earlier expressed confidence in a favourable outcome.

In the weeks before the verdict, reports suggested DR Congo officials were confident of surviving the challenge, with Sports247 alleging lobbying efforts within FIFA circles.

Despite the speculation, FIFA concluded that the complaint did not justify overturning the result of the African play-off.

With the petition dismissed, DR Congo remains on course for the March intercontinental play-offs, where the final qualification slots will be decided.