2026 World Cup: FIFA throws out Nigeria’s petition, NFF kicks

World football governing body, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), has thrown out Nigeria’s petition against DR Congo over the 2026 World Cup Playoff, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) saying it has already commenced the process of appealing the decision.

The Eagle Online learnt that FIFA had written to the NFF a long time ago over the decision of its Disciplinary Committee.

The committee rejected the NFF’s petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo on the issue of eligibility of some players used by that country in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco on November 16, 2025.

However, the NFF did not reveal this position to Nigeria until FIFA started treating DR Congo as the country to be engaged in the playoff taking place next week.

Recall that The Eagle Online reported a story in which the media arm of FIFA interviewed the DR Congo coach on the upcoming playoff: 2026 World Cup: FIFA interview treats DR Congo as play-off team, dims Nigeria hopes: https://theeagleonline.com.ng/fifa-interview-treats-dr-congo-as-play-off-team-dims-nigeria-hopes/

It was learnt that it was such stories that forced the NFF to state its position that it had appealed the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

The General Secretary of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said on Tuesday: “We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition.

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“I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision.”

The NFF had presented a petition to world football-governing body days after the Africa playoff match the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo.

This was based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the playoffs.

The match, played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, was the Final of the African Playoffs.

The Democratic Republic of Congo won in a sudden-death penalty shootout, after both teams were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra time.

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