FIFA has rejected Nigeria’s petition over allegedly ineligible players, upholding DR Congo’s playoff victory and officially ending the Super Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has officially dismissed the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the eligibility of players used in their recent 2026 World Cup playoff.
The Super Eagles had sought to overturn their penalty shootout defeat, alleging that several Congolese players held dual nationality in violation of DR Congo’s domestic laws.
However, the world governing body ruled that all regulatory requirements were met, effectively ending Nigeria’s hopes of a technical reinstatement.
The NFF’s case centered on claims that between six and nine players were cleared through fraudulent documentation.
NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi stated, “FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared.
But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them.” Despite these arguments, FIFA maintained that it is not their responsibility to enforce domestic citizenship laws if valid passports are presented.
The final ruling has sparked widespread disappointment across Nigeria as the nation faces missing out on the expanded 48-team tournament in North America.
Following the decision, DR Congo remains on course for the intercontinental playoffs in March, while Nigerian officials have indicated they will respect the verdict and shift focus toward future competitions.
This dismissal marks the definitive end of the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup campaign, confirming their absence from the global stage for the second consecutive tournament.