World Cup : FIFA gives verdict on Nigeria appeal against DR Congo

FIFA has thrown out Nigeria’s appeal contesting the eligibility of several DR Congo players, effectively bringing the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualification bid to an end, reports indicate.

Nigeria’s challenge followed their defeat to DR Congo in the CAF playoff final held on November 16 in Rabat, Morocco. The decisive encounter ended in a draw after regulation time before DR Congo edged the Super Eagles 4–3 in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the intercontinental playoffs.

Nigeria had taken the lead through Victor Osimhen, but Cédric Bakambu later restored parity for DR Congo, pushing the contest into penalties where Nigeria fell short. The loss confirmed Nigeria’s elimination from the World Cup race.

On December 16, the Nigeria Football Federation submitted a formal protest to FIFA, alleging that as many as nine DR Congo players breached regulations governing dual nationality. Among those named in the complaint was Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

READ ALSO:DR Congo warn Nigeria against ‘backdoor W’Cup qualification’, share players’ eligibility status

FIFA, however, dismissed the appeal due to a lack of sufficient evidence to support the claims, according to The Nation. The ruling effectively ended Nigeria’s bid to overturn the playoff outcome through administrative means.

The appeal focused on FIFA statutes related to nationality changes and player eligibility. Under existing rules, players may switch national teams if they meet certain criteria, including nationality status and eligibility through residency or heritage.

Wan-Bissaka, who was a Manchester United defender at the time, changed his international allegiance from England to DR Congo in 2024. Although he had represented England at youth level, he never featured for the senior national team, making the switch permissible under FIFA regulations.

While Nigeria maintained that several DR Congo players violated eligibility rules, no detailed breakdown of the alleged infractions was made public. The Nigeria Football Federation has also remained silent since FIFA’s ruling.

DR Congo’s advancement to the intercontinental playoffs marks a major milestone for the Central African nation. The Leopards will now compete against teams from other confederations for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The upcoming tournament will be the first expanded to 48 teams, increasing Africa’s representation. CAF is set to have nine automatic qualifiers, with an additional team entering the intercontinental playoff.

Nigeria’s exit is a major setback for one of Africa’s most accomplished football nations. The Super Eagles have previously qualified for six World Cups, with their most recent appearance coming in Russia in 2018.

The playoff defeat, coupled with the unsuccessful appeal, compounded the disappointment for Nigeria, who entered the fixture as favourites based on ranking and historical pedigree.

FIFA’s dispute resolution process requires compelling documentation to overturn results, particularly in eligibility cases. Although Nigeria’s protest was submitted within the stipulated 30-day window, FIFA ruled that the evidence presented did not demonstrate clear regulatory breaches.

Nationality switches have become more common in international football as eligibility rules evolve to reflect modern migration patterns. Many players now qualify for multiple nations through birth, ancestry, or naturalization.

DR Congo’s squad features several Europe-based players eligible through Congolese heritage, reflecting a growing trend among African national teams that combine diaspora talent with home-based players.

With FIFA’s decision, Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualification journey comes to a close, though future qualifying campaigns remain on the horizon following the conclusion of the next tournament.