FIFA World Cup: Nigeria lose protest against DR Congo over player eligibility
Nigeria’s hopes of overturning their defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Playoffs have suffered a major setback after FIFA Disciplinary Committee dismissed the Nigeria Football Federation’s petition.
The Nigeria Football Federation had filed a formal complaint to world football governing body FIFA, alleging irregularities surrounding the eligibility of certain DR Congo players who featured in the decisive playoff clash.
The high-stakes encounter, played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on November 16, 2025, ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time before DR Congo triumphed via a sudden-death penalty shootout.
Nigeria’s petition centered on what it described as “perceived fraud” in the issuance of passports that enabled some Congolese players to participate in the playoff. The NFF argued that these irregularities potentially compromised the integrity of the qualification process.
However, after reviewing the submission, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee ruled against Nigeria, effectively upholding the match result and DR Congo’s progression.
The decision represents a significant blow to Nigeria’s bid to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup through administrative means, following their narrow loss on the pitch.
Football stakeholders across the country have reacted with disappointment, as the ruling closes one chapter of a contentious dispute that has lingered since the playoff encounter in Morocco.
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