The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reignited the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after submitting a formal petition to FIFA over an alleged breach of regulations by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
The NFF has officially challenged the eligibility of several DR Congo players, filing a protest with world football’s governing body that could potentially reopen Nigeria’s path to the global tournament.
Nigeria’s World Cup campaign appeared to have ended in November following a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the African playoff round. However, the federation now claims that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the encounter, a development that could lead to a reversal of the result.
According to the petition, as many as six Congolese players may have failed to meet FIFA’s strict criteria for switching national allegiance. The core of the complaint lies in Congolese law, which reportedly does not allow dual citizenship. The NFF argues that some players — including those in possession of European passports — did not properly renounce their former nationalities before representing DR Congo at international level.
Confirming the submission, NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi stated that the matter has been formally referred to FIFA for review.
“We are waiting for FIFA’s decision. Congolese law does not permit dual nationality. Some of the players involved hold European passports — French, Dutch and others. The regulations are very clear, and we have submitted our petition accordingly,” Sanusi said..
Sanusi acknowledged that FIFA had previously cleared the players based on documentation provided by the DR Congo Football Association. However, he insisted that the approval was obtained under misleading circumstances.
“That is why FIFA cleared them,” he explained. “FIFA regulations state that once a player holds a country’s passport, he is eligible. Our concern, however, is that FIFA was deceived into granting that clearance. It is not FIFA’s duty to enforce Congolese law, but we believe the process was fraudulent.”
The case is now under FIFA’s review. Should the NFF’s protest be upheld, Nigeria could be reinstated in the qualification process and advance to the Intercontinental Playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, provided those fixtures have not yet been concluded.
The petition has sparked renewed optimism among Nigerian supporters, who had previously accepted the Super Eagles’ elimination. FIFA’s final ruling will ultimately determine whether Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup journey is revived or brought to a definitive close.
