NFF Rejects FIFA Verdict: Nigeria Set to Appeal Dismissal of DR Congo Player Eligibility Petition

The Nigeria Football Federation has begun the process of appealing a decision by FIFA Disciplinary Committee after its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo was rejected.

The dispute relates to a 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off match played in Rabat last November, where Nigeria lost 4–3 on penalties.

The NFF had challenged the eligibility of some players in the DR Congo squad, alleging irregularities in passport issuance that allowed certain players to qualify for the match. After months of review, FIFA dismissed the petition, a decision the Nigerian football body says it is not satisfied with.

The NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the development in a statement. He said: “We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision.”

Meanwhile, DR Congo have progressed in the qualification pathway and are set to face the winner of a tie between the Jamaica national football team and the New Caledonia national football team.

The next stage of the play-offs will take place in Guadalajara and Monterrey, where teams will compete for the final qualification spots. The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.