Nigeria\u2019s<\/a> hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dramatically revived after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) formally petitioned FIFA over alleged player eligibility breaches by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Soccernet.ng reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Super Eagles<\/a> were knocked out of the African playoff race in November after losing to DR Congo on penalties in the final, a result that appeared to end Nigeria\u2019s road to the Mundial.<\/p>\n But the matter has now taken a fresh turn, with FIFA set to review claims that several Congolese players who featured in the decisive match may not have been eligible under both national law and FIFA regulations.<\/p>\n If Nigeria\u2019s petition is upheld, the Super Eagles could be reinstated and take DR Congo\u2019s place in the intercontinental playoffs, a scenario that would reopen a path to the World Cup about four weeks after Nigeria were thought to be out of contention.<\/p>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Nigeria\u2019s qualification journey had already been complicated long before the playoff defeat. Drawn in Group C of the African qualifiers, the Super Eagles failed to secure automatic qualification after finishing second behind South Africa, who claimed the group\u2019s direct World Cup ticket.<\/p>\n That placed Nigeria in the African playoffs, a second chance route that demanded perfection. The Super Eagles responded strongly in the semi-final, dismantling Gabon 4-1<\/a> to book a place in the final. DR Congo, meanwhile, edged Cameroon in the other semi-final to set up a winner-takes-all showdown.<\/p>\n The final proved tight and tense. After a 1-1 draw, DR Congo prevailed on penalties,<\/a> earning the right to represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff scheduled for March next year, where just one victory would be enough to secure a World Cup berth.<\/p>\n For Nigeria, it looked like the end of the road, until fresh questions emerged.<\/p>\n Nigeria\u2019s renewed optimism stems from concerns surrounding the eligibility of several Congolese players involved in that playoff final.<\/p>\n According to reports now forming the basis of the NFF\u2019s petition, as many as six DR Congo players may not have completed the full nationality switch process required to represent the country. Central to the case is Congolese law, which does not permit dual nationality.<\/p>\n The allegation is that some players retained European passports, including French and Dutch, and did not formally renounce their previous citizenships, a legal step required under Congolese regulations. Additional concerns relate to players over the age of 21, which could further complicate eligibility under FIFA statutes.<\/p>\n While FIFA had cleared the players to feature, Nigeria believes that approval was granted based on information submitted by DR Congo, information the NFF now claims may have been misleading.<\/p>\n The NFF has confirmed that the matter has been formally lodged with FIFA and is now under review.<\/p>\n NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi outlined Nigeria\u2019s position in clear terms, insisting that the federation acted after carefully studying both FIFA rules and Congolese national law.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have a dual citizenship or nationality. Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; there are some of them that have French passports, some of them Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition,\u201d he said as per the Vanguard<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Sanusi acknowledged that FIFA had initially approved the players\u2019 participation but argued that the world governing body may have been misled during the process.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why FIFA cleared them. FIFA rules say once you have passports of your country, you\u2019re eligible, as far as FIFA is concerned, they are eligible and that\u2019s why they were cleared,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cBut right now, our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not the responsibility of FIFA to ensure that the regulations of Congo are followed. FIFA goes by its own regulations, and it was on the basis of what was submitted to FIFA that they cleared them. What we are saying is that it was fraudulent.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The case now rests with FIFA, whose ruling will determine whether DR Congo breached eligibility rules and whether sanctions, including disqualification, are warranted.<\/p>\n Should Nigeria\u2019s complaint succeed, the Super Eagles could be reinstated into the qualification pathway and handed a place in the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico, provided the fixtures have not already been concluded.<\/p>\n In essence, Nigeria\u2019s World Cup dream may yet be salvaged by a decision off the pitch rather than on it.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imago1067784294-scaled.jpg\")
Soccer A Nigerian campaign that seemed over<\/h2>\n
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Soccer DR Congo face player eligibility issues<\/h2>\n
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Soccer Nigeria petitions FIFA<\/h2>\n
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Photo by Nsidibe Akpan Copyright: xxIMAGO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSoccer FIFA to decide Nigeria\u2019s fate<\/h2>\n