The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has firmly dismissed viral reports claiming that FIFA has delivered a final decision on Nigeria’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over player eligibility in their crucial 2026 World Cup playoff match.
This clarification comes amid widespread online speculation following Nigeria’s heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to the Leopards in November 2025, which dashed the Super Eagles’ hopes of progressing to the intercontinental playoffs.
NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, labeled the sharing of such stories as false and misleading, emphasizing that no official ruling has been communicated by FIFA to either the Nigerian or Congolese federations.
The NFF’s swift rebuttal is necessary after fabricated documents purporting to show FIFA awarding Nigeria a 3-0 victory and reinstating them in the qualification process, flooded the social media platforms.
Olajire urged fans to disregard unverified claims, stressing in a statement to 234Sports that the federation would only issue updates upon receiving formal word from FIFA.
From The Whole Story
The controversy erupted after the Super Eagles were eliminated in the final round of Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Recall that Nigeria directed a formal complaint to FIFA, challenging the eligibility of several DR Congo players based on Congolese domestic law that failed to recognize dual nationality for adults.
The NFF disputed players holding European passports such as those from Belgium, England, France, or the Netherlands, on the grounds that they may not have properly renounced their foreign citizenship. This, the Nigerian football body claimed potentially violated eligibility rules.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi highlighted concerns that the Congolese Football Association might have submitted incomplete or deceptive documentation during FIFA’s player clearance process.
“As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them.”
Firmly Rebutting Nigeria’s Allegations
The DRC Football Association has strongly rejected Nigeria’s claims, portraying the protest as a sour grapes tactic. Director of Football Hérita Ilunga had earlier advised Nigeria to shift focus to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) rather than legal maneuvers.
Posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Leopards declared: “If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence, not with lawyers’ tricks. Bring it on!”
DRC officials maintained that FIFA’s criteria for sporting nationality is superior to domestic citizenship restrictions, and all players were duly cleared prior to the match.
Dispute Practices: Trends in African Football
This petition underscored broader tensions in African football, where nationality laws often clash with FIFA’s reliance on passports and official submissions for determining sporting eligibility.
The standoff has also fueled heated debates among fans across both nations, with Nigerian supporters hoping for a reversal while Congolese are committed to celebrating their hard-fought advancement.
As FIFA holds the power to probe such allegations deeper which could lead to severe sanctions including player suspensions, match forfeits, or even competition expulsion — history showed that the governing body prioritized documentation at the clearance stage.
However, proven misconduct can trigger retrospective action. While Nigerians anticipated a favorable outcome to revive their World Cup dreams and await a rare second chance in the qualification race, the NFF has recommitted to transparency and due process, promising prompt communication once a verdict emerges.