NFF Denies FIFA Rejected Petition Over DR Congo Player Eligibility, Says Case Still Under Review

NFF Denies FIFA Rejected Petition Over DR Congo Player Eligibility, Says Case Still Under Review

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports claiming that FIFA has rejected its petition concerning the eligibility of DR Congo players, insisting the matter is still under review.

The controversy stems from Nigeria’s 4–3 penalty defeat to DR Congo in the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup following a 1–1 draw in November. Since then, speculation has circulated that FIFA had quietly dismissed Nigeria’s appeal.

Speaking on AIT, NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi clarified that no such decision has been communicated.

“The Nigeria Football Federation has not received any letter from FIFA saying our petition has been rejected,” Sanusi said. “We have checked our emails and there is nothing from FIFA. If anyone claims otherwise, let them show the evidence.”

Nigeria’s petition alleges that several DR Congo players fielded in the match were ineligible under FIFA regulations and Congolese national law, which does not recognise dual citizenship. Players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, who hold European passports, were cleared to play, prompting Nigeria to claim FIFA was misled.

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“Our position is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi said. “The law in Congo does not allow dual nationality. We believe there is a clear breach, and that breach is fraudulent.”

Meanwhile, DR Congo’s football body, Fecofa, strongly rejected Nigeria’s claims, describing the petition as an attempt to overturn the result off the pitch. The body urged Nigeria to “play the World Cup with dignity and confidence, not with lawyer tricks,” branding the Super Eagles as “bad losers.”

Under FIFA statutes, players may switch national teams only once, subject to approval by the Players’ Status Committee, and eligibility must comply with the country’s nationality laws. FIFA can dismiss protests for lack of evidence, investigate for potential fines or warnings, or impose sporting sanctions such as match forfeiture.

Past precedents include South Africa being docked points for fielding a suspended player and Equatorial Guinea sanctioned over player eligibility, though points were not restored in the latter case.

Nigeria is hopeful that FIFA’s final ruling could reopen their path to the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For now, the NFF insists the matter is far from over.

NFF Denies FIFA Rejected Petition Over DR Congo Player Eligibility, Says Case Still Under Review