Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup through the play-offs remain uncertain as FIFA has yet to issue a ruling on a petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation.
The complaint alleges that the DR Congo national football team fielded players whose nationality switch may not comply with international regulations.
The dispute stems from last November’s African play-offs, where Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost to DR Congo on penalties after failing to secure automatic qualification earlier in the qualifiers.
Since then, Nigerian football authorities have argued that some Congolese players may have improperly changed national allegiance.
NFF President Ibrahim Gusau said the federation is still expecting official communication from FIFA and remains optimistic about the outcome. According to him, the decision could significantly affect Nigeria’s chances as the intercontinental play-offs approach.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi also stressed that the petition was submitted because the federation believes there is a legitimate case, leaving the final judgment to FIFA’s regulatory bodies.
FIFA statutes allow a footballer to switch national association only once, following a formal written request and approval by FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee. The issue is further complicated by reports that Congolese nationality law does not recognise dual citizenship, a factor Nigeria believes strengthens its argument
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi recently expressed hope that the ruling could still open a path for Nigeria to the tournament.
Meanwhile, Nigerian sports authorities suggest that whichever side loses the FIFA decision could appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across multiple cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With the intercontinental play-offs approaching, football stakeholders in Nigeria are keenly awaiting FIFA’s verdict, which could determine whether the Super Eagles still have a shot at the global tournament.
