Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Hopes Revived as NFF Petitions FIFA Over DR Congo Eligibility Issue
Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup may not be over after all, following an official complaint lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Democratic Republic of Congo over the alleged use of ineligible players during the African qualifiers.
The Super Eagles were eliminated from the African play-offs in November after a dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Morocco—a result that appeared to close the door on Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions for the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
DR Congo went on to secure automatic qualification for the final of the intercontinental play-off, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica. However, that spot is now under scrutiny after the NFF questioned the eligibility of several Congolese players involved in the decisive matches.
According to sources familiar with the petition, between six and nine players who recently switched national allegiance may not have fully complied with DR Congo’s domestic nationality laws before representing the country. While FIFA reportedly cleared the players based on passport possession, the NFF argues that the players failed to renounce previous nationalities—an alleged violation of DR Congo’s constitution, which prohibits dual citizenship.
An NFF executive board member confirmed that the matter has been formally escalated to FIFA.
“DR Congo’s constitution does not permit dual nationality, yet a number of players fielded during the play-off were still holding other citizenships,” the official said. “That is the basis of our complaint, and our legal team has submitted the necessary documentation.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also acknowledged the petition, stressing that Nigeria’s objection is rooted in Congolese domestic law rather than FIFA regulations.
“We have filed our petition and we are awaiting a response,” Sanusi said. “FIFA regulations focus on passport possession, which is why the players were initially cleared. Our position is that FIFA may have been misled because the players did not fully comply with DR Congo’s domestic laws on nationality.”
The development has reignited cautious optimism among Nigerian fans, especially after the Super Eagles missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. DR Congo, meanwhile, have qualified for the FIFA World Cup only once, making their sole appearance in 1974 under the name Zaire.
Opinion: A Legal Battle That Could Redefine Fair Play
Beyond Nigeria’s renewed hope, this case highlights a growing grey area in international football—where FIFA eligibility rules intersect, and sometimes clash, with national laws. If the NFF’s claims are upheld, the consequences could stretch far beyond this qualification cycle, forcing stricter scrutiny of nationality switches across Africa and beyond.
For Nigeria, this is not just about chasing a second chance; it is about insisting on fairness and due process. While legal victories cannot erase on-field shortcomings, they can restore integrity where rules may have been bent.
That said, the Super Eagles must also reflect inwardly. Reliance on post-match petitions should never replace strong performances on the pitch. If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, it should be seen as a lifeline—not a guarantee.
As the football world awaits FIFA’s decision, one thing is clear: this case could become a landmark moment in African football governance, redefining how eligibility is enforced—and reminding everyone that World Cup dreams are sometimes decided not only by goals, but by the fine print of the law.
