Football stakeholders and supporters in Nigeria have voiced frustration after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association continued to delay a ruling on the Nigeria Football Federation’s eligibility protest over players fielded by the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off.
Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off by DR Congo following a penalty shoot-out after a November 2025 match in the Africa qualifying stage.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a formal protest with FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded players who were ineligible under the Congolese law on nationality.
The protest centres on claims that certain DR Congo players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, hold European or French passports, which the NFF contends conflicts with the Congolese constitutional prohibition on dual citizenship.
The NFF says this raised questions about their eligibility to represent DR Congo.
FIFA has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and confirmed it is under review but has not provided a timeline for delivering a decision, and no official verdict has been communicated to the NFF or the Congolese Football Federation.
The NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said any reports of a ruling were false.
The DR Congo Football Federation dismissed the protest, describing it as an attempt “to win via the back door” rather than an issue of ineligible players being fielded. FIFA’s process remains ongoing with the matter under review.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi reiterated the federation’s stance that Congolese law on nationality should be considered in determining eligibility, noting that the protest arguments were communicated to FIFA in December 2025.
Officials from FIFA have confirmed the review but declined to set a timeframe for ruling, leaving both federations without official guidance on the timeline for a decision. The delay extends into March 2026, months after the initial submission of the protest.
The pending decision has implications for Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as a ruling in favour of the Super Eagles could affect DR Congo’s progression and alter qualification scenarios.
A delayed administrative decision has the potential to affect scheduling and preparation for subsequent qualifying rounds, including intercontinental play-offs.
This administrative stalemate has continued close to the dates scheduled for the playoff match and the 2026 World Cup tournament, adding uncertainty for teams, support staff and national federations regarding future fixtures. (
