FIFA is set to rule on Monday on Nigeria’s petition against Democratic Republic of the Congo over the alleged use of ineligible players, a decision that could reshape Africa’s final World Cup qualification picture.
The meeting scheduled for February 16 will address several matters, including the Nigeria Football Federation’s protest. The outcome could potentially reinstate the Super Eagles into the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico later this month, where one of the final tickets to the 2026 World Cup is at stake.
The NFF’s case centres on claims that six Congolese players were ineligible during last year’s African play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Nigeria lost on penalties in Morocco.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi insisted the federation would not have pursued the matter without confidence in its evidence.
“We believe that we have a chance; that is why we petitioned. If we knew we didn’t have a chance, we wouldn’t have petitioned,” Sanusi said, stressing that due process was followed in submitting documentation and legal arguments.
The case has taken on added significance due to the reported involvement of Véron Mosengo-Omba, Secretary General of Confederation of African Football, who is said to have close ties to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Both Nigeria and DR Congo are reportedly prepared to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if dissatisfied with FIFA’s verdict, prompting world football’s governing body to treat the file with caution.
At the core of the dispute are FIFA’s nationality-switching regulations, which permit a player to change international allegiance only once through a formal process approved by the governing body.
Nigeria argues that the Congolese FA misrepresented facts concerning the nationality status of certain players, particularly in light of DR Congo’s domestic law prohibiting dual citizenship. The NFF claims FIFA may have been misled into clearing the players, even if documentation appeared valid.
A successful appeal would see Nigeria face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia in Mexico, with qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico on the line.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, acknowledged that the case could ultimately be settled at CAS.
“It requires a lot of things, and by the time it is finally decided, whether Nigeria wins or DR Congo wins, I believe the case might even go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Dikko said.
The NFF formally submitted its petition to FIFA on December 15, 2025, challenging the eligibility of six Congolese players who had recently switched their international allegiance.
The case has taken on added significance due to the reported involvement of Véron Mosengo-Omba, Secretary General of Confederation of African Football, who is said to have close ties to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Both Nigeria and DR Congo are reportedly prepared to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if dissatisfied with FIFA’s verdict, prompting world football’s governing body to treat the file with caution.
At the core of the dispute are FIFA’s nationality-switching regulations, which permit a player to change international allegiance only once through a formal process approved by the governing body.
Nigeria argues that the Congolese FA misrepresented facts concerning the nationality status of certain players, particularly in light of DR Congo’s domestic law prohibiting dual citizenship. The NFF claims FIFA may have been misled into clearing the players, even if documentation appeared valid.
A successful appeal would see Nigeria face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia in Mexico, with qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico on the line.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, acknowledged that the case could ultimately be settled at CAS.
“It requires a lot of things, and by the time it is finally decided, whether Nigeria wins or DR Congo wins, I believe the case might even go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Dikko said.
The NFF formally submitted its petition to FIFA on December 15, 2025, challenging the eligibility of six Congolese players who had recently switched their international allegiance.