2026 World Cup: NFF Dismisses FIFA Verdict Reports
Last update: February 16, 2026
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Nigeria football federation denies FIFA verdict on DR Congo protest...
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has refuted online reports claiming that FIFA has delivered a verdict on Nigeria’s protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Federation over alleged ineligible players.
The dispute arose after Nigeria’s elimination on penalties by DR Congo’s national team, the Leopards, in the final round of the African play-offs last November a result that ended the Super Eagles’ hopes of reaching the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the defeat, the NFF submitted a formal complaint to FIFA, questioning the eligibility of several Congolese players.
The federation argued that Congolese law does not recognise dual nationality for adults, raising concerns that some players allegedly held European passports while representing the Leopards.
However, NFF officials have now clarified that no ruling has been issued.
The federation’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, described reports suggesting a verdict in favour of either Nigeria or DR Congo as “false and misleading.”
“There is no decision from FIFA at this time. Any claims that a ruling has been made are false. FIFA has not communicated any verdict to the NFF or the Congolese federation,” Olajire told 234Sports.
The NFF also urged the public to disregard fabricated documents circulating online which purportedly show FIFA awarding Nigeria a 3–0 victory and reinstating the Super Eagles in the qualification race.
Nigeria’s petition reportedly focused on DR Congo’s domestic nationality laws, which largely prohibit dual citizenship.
According to the NFF, some Leopards players allegedly retained foreign passports including Belgian, English, French or Dutch nationality without formally renouncing previous citizenship.
CBI News reports that the NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the federation’s concern was that the Congolese FA might have submitted incomplete or misleading documentation in obtaining FIFA clearance for the players.
“As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi said.
The Congolese FA has rejected the allegations, insisting the result should stand.
Its Director of Football, Hérita Ilunga, maintained that FIFA’s rules on sporting nationality not domestic citizenship law determine player eligibility.
“If that is the case, I advise my dear Naija to focus instead on AFCON,” Ilunga said.
On social media, the Leopards dismissed Nigeria’s protest as an attempt to overturn events on the pitch.
“If you can’t win on the pitch, don’t try to win from the back door. The World Cup has to be played with dignity and confidence, not with lawyers’ tricks. Bring it on!” a post on DR Congo’s official 𝕏 handle read.
