₦airaland Forum

daveP:
Low-key, i feel the Chelle situation with NFF is dependent on FIFA verdict for this DRC issue. If we replace DRC Congo, Chelle might be retained or flinged for a foreign manager or anyhow gbasgbos based on feelings.

FIFA give verdict ke this is month ending next month by march is playoff nothing is on Fifa website if you check the Disciplinary meeting and ourcom section on FIFA website up till to this month

No update again regarding Nff petition against Dr Congo ineligible player


Up till now FIFA never deliver any Verdict



Am confused if the Nff send the petition to another organisation not FIFA

Has

elyte89:
Jamaica 🇯🇲 in trouble 😎

has fifa pass it verdict you better move on nff have already move on from the world cup playoffs next month

FIFA RELEASED STATEMENT AS NIGERIA, DR CONGO EXPECT RULING ON 2026 WORLD CUP PETITION.

FIFA has released its 2025 CAS & Football Annual Report without mentioning Nigeria’s petition against DR Congo.

The Nigeria Football Federation' (NFF) filed a petition to FIFA alleging DR Congo used ineligible players during their World Cup playoff against Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The Super Eagles are still waiting on a ruling that could reopen their 2026 World Cup path.

The World football’s governing body, FIFA, has published its CAS & Football Annual Report 2025 at a time when Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are anxiously awaiting a ruling on the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) petition over alleged use of ineligible players in the African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup.

In the report, FIFA made no reference to Nigeria’s protest, which was filed on December 15, 2025, following the Super Eagles’ dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Rabat last November.

The omission of the case from FIFA’s latest publication has sparked fresh debate, especially after expectations had risen that a decision could be announced around mid-February following a scheduled Ethics Committee meeting.

Reports suggested a conclusion may already have been reached internally, but only FIFA’s Executive Committee, chaired by Gianni Infantino, is authorised to make any formal announcement.

Nigeria’s protest centres on claims that DR Congo fielded several players who allegedly did not meet eligibility requirements under their country’s domestic laws.
Among the names referenced were Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom previously represented England at youth levels before switching international allegiance.

According to BBC Sports, the NFF argues that the clearance process for these players contained irregularities and that DR Congo may have submitted incomplete documentation when seeking approval for their participation. On this basis, Nigeria asked FIFA to disqualify DR Congo and reinstate the Super Eagles as Africa’s representatives in the Intercontinental Playoff tournament scheduled to take place in Mexico next month.

DR Congo, however, has consistently rejected Nigeria’s claims, maintaining that FIFA’s rules on sporting nationality, rather than domestic citizenship laws, govern player eligibility.
This legal grey area has helped turn the dispute into one of the most closely watched cases in African football. Instead of addressing the Nigeria vs DR Congo dispute, FIFA’s newly released document focused on the broader role of football in global sports arbitration.

According to a statement published on FIFA’s official website, 77 per cent of all cases registered with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2025 involved football-related matters. The report outlines how CAS continues to serve as the main independent body for reviewing appeals against FIFA decisions, in line with Article 49 of the FIFA Statutes.

It also provides summaries of key case law from both CAS and the Swiss Federal Tribunal, drawn from FIFA’s quarterly legal updates.

[quote author=Damioduso1 post=138523117]Latest Update 📌

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa today (Thursday 19th of February), where he briefed him on the FIFA World Cup verdict involving Nigeria 🇳🇬 and DR Congo 🇨🇩.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had submitted a formal complaint to FIFA over alleged breaches of rules and regulations in the World Cup qualification process.

“The relevant bodies in FIFA are dealing with it. We are confident we have a good case, but we have already put the World Cup behind us. Whatever happens, it is what it is,” he said.

Dikko clarified that independent committees within FIFA would determine the outcome based on established regulations. He added that the matter is being handled by FIFA’s independent disciplinary and ethics committees, not the FIFA Executive Committee itself.

He explained that Nigeria and the NFF had documented several breaches of FIFA rules and regulations even before the playoff matches and formally submitted the complaints to the world football governing body.

“We discovered some breaches here and there. Even before we played the playoffs, we had noticed them, documented them, and submitted them to FIFA. So, both the NFF and ourselves submitted what we believed were breaches of the rules and regulations, which are part of the sport. It’s not about being sore losers; it’s simply what it is,” the NSC boss said.







FIFA has releases annual report without reference to Nigeria’s petition against DR Congo




I don't think FIFA are looking into this Nff petition base on this FIFA annual report news

Latest Update 📌

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa today (Thursday 19th of February), where he briefed him on the FIFA World Cup verdict involving Nigeria 🇳🇬 and DR Congo 🇨🇩.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had submitted a formal complaint to FIFA over alleged breaches of rules and regulations in the World Cup qualification process.

“The relevant bodies in FIFA are dealing with it. We are confident we have a good case, but we have already put the World Cup behind us. Whatever happens, it is what it is,” he said.

Dikko clarified that independent committees within FIFA would determine the outcome based on established regulations. He added that the matter is being handled by FIFA’s independent disciplinary and ethics committees, not the FIFA Executive Committee itself.

He explained that Nigeria and the NFF had documented several breaches of FIFA rules and regulations even before the playoff matches and formally submitted the complaints to the world football governing body.

“We discovered some breaches here and there. Even before we played the playoffs, we had noticed them, documented them, and submitted them to FIFA. So, both the NFF and ourselves submitted what we believed were breaches of the rules and regulations, which are part of the sport. It’s not about being sore losers; it’s simply what it is,” the NSC boss said.



FIFA has releases annual report without reference to Nigeria’s petition against DR Congo

minfelix:
e fit b say NFF don go submit petition letter to Fifa food vendors office for Zurich and them don use am sell akara oo, you sure say that letter reach disciplinary committee office😀😅😅

I check on fifa website regarding the Nff petition no news concerning it on fifa website in the meeting and Disciplinary section of FIFA website that means fifa is yet to deliver any Verdict on the issue

Any update on fifa verdict against Dr Congo ineligible player we are almost close to ending of February

🚨🔵 | EXCLUSIVE | Arsenal and Chelsea are monitoring Emmanuel Fernandez, the 24-year-old defender currently impressing at Rangers.

The centre-back has attracted growing interest ahead of the summer window due to his strong performances and development in Scotland. He is also eligible to represent Nigeria at the international level and is reportedly keen on a future call-up to the Super Eagles.🇳🇬

Emmanuel Fernandez looks set to commit his international future to Nigeria.

He is waiting to hear from the Nigeria Football Federation and manager Eric Chelle ahead of the Fifa window for international games in March 2026.

The 24 year old defender joined Rangers in the summer and is currently being monitored by clubs in England and Germany due to the impact he has made since arriving at Ibrox.

BREAKING NEWS:

Nigeria, DR Congo verdict ready, FIFA Executive Council to decide.

According to a source familiar with the case, the anticipatory decision today has been deferred to the FIFA Executive Council members who are expected to meet tomorrow, February 17 in Zurich, the FIFA Headquarters.

Thus

solonnachi:
How sure are you on a range of 1-10?

This one that the nff is already planning friendly match in march

opes:
Punch newspaper today reported that Iran football federation and NFF are already negotiating for a friendly match in March..hmmm

What if fifa rule in our favor today the intercontinental playoff is March also

🚨 Nigeria vs Jordan: The Super Eagles will face the Jordan national football team in an international friendly in Amman between 23 and 31 March 2026, following an agreement between both federations.

Justice505:
It's like dey go try break fast make FIFA pass judgement.

I think Cameroon has lunch complain to caf regarding Dr congo fielding ineligible player in the playoffs against Them and not to FIFA

Dr congo fa are relying on Caf General secretary to influence tomorrow decision by FIFA



The most important things is that nff has present evidence to FIFA regarding to the case and petition against Dr Congo fielding ineligible player

MetalJigsaw:
1. DRC forbids dual nationality
2. The players involved are multiple. (six)
3. All those players are above 21 years.
4. There is a likelihood that false documentation were presented to FIFA concerning those players.
5. Nigeria going through will favour FIFA, CAF and the mundial itself.

All these combined is why our hopes should be high.

elyte89:
No worry , once we win d case against dr Congo ,mouth go change 😊

FIFA set to deliver judgement on Nigeria vs DR Congo on February 16th

MR OLAWALE QUADRI 🇳🇬
@QualityQuadry
🚨 DR Congo 🇨🇩 making moves ahead of FIFA verdict on February 16th

The Congolese Football Association is allegedly doing everything within their powers to hand twist FIFA into rulling in their favour as the World Football Governing body meets on Monday February 16, to decide on the petition filed by the Nigeria football federation on the eligibility of six Congolese players in last year's FIFA 2026 Africa World Cup play-offs.

Véron Mosengo-Omba, the General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appointed in March 2021, is a Swiss-Congolese national born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He previously worked as the Chief Member Associations Officer at FIFA before taking the role of CAF’s General Secretary four years ago. He is also a close associate of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

According to very reliable sources, Omba and a few other top football executives from Congo and some Francophone countries are allegedly using their strong influence in FIFA to lobby for a favourable decision in this matter. They know the seriousness of the petition and are scared that FIFA could decide in favour of Nigeria based on leaked information and available evidence.

FIFA on their part, is convinced that Nigeria has presented a very strong case and will not want to do anything that will rubbish their reputation, knowing that the Nigeria football federation and the Congolese FA, might want to proceed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Lucerne Switzerland, if decisions do not go in their favour. For that reason, they have taken time to carefully look at the matter before them and could take a decision at their next meeting on Monday, February 16.

In September last year, CAF General Secretary, Mosengo-Omba was accused of having “repeatedly obtained bonuses” five times higher than the maximum allowed in his employment contract with the Confederation of African Football but was later cleared of any wrong doing after thorough investigation.

His influence in Africa and World football will come handy for Congo as the Nation looks forward to Monday's ruling that could decide who picks Africa's sole ticket for next month's intercontinental play-off against the winner of Jamaica and New Caledonia.

On their part, the Nigeria football federation and the National Sports commission are not losing any sleep on this matter. They are confident that they have done thorough investigation and provided the necessary documents and evidence to FIFA. They also believe that the recent FIFA verdict on Malaysia is a clear indication that the world football governing body does not joke with anything that has to do with players eligibility, especially when there are documented evidences of discrepancies and falsification.

🚨 FIFA’s ruling on Nigeria’s petition against DR Congo over player ineligibility in the World Cup Play-offs is expected in the coming days!

February 16th has been mentioned as a potential date for the decision 👀⚖️
All eyes on this one the stakes are high! 🇳🇬🌍

Ppogbae:
No update from FIFA?

Dr congo is already planning for Next month FIFA intercontinental playoff in Mexico.


The Nff are still waiting for FIFA verdict not yet organize a friendly match for march international free windows for friendly matches

Sarsaparilla524:
If I were the coach of the U23 team tasked with leading the National Team to the Olympic Games and I had the option of picking five senior NT players, below would be my pick.

Victor Osimhen
Adams Akor
Alex Iwobi
Calvin Bassey
Frederick Benjamin

See you at the World Cup Playoffs in March

Dr congo is already planning to recruit 12 new foreign horn players before next month world cup playoffs in march

elyte89:
Nigeria head coach, Eric Sékou Chelle has emerged as a potential candidate for Olympique de Marseille after being recommended by intermediaries in recent days.😎

Eric Chelle Akara they sell well well well after afcon make nff tie him down with new contract extension

Breaking news;

DR Congo Football federation is restless concerning the impending FIFA verdict which will be coming up this February which may see the super eagles � of Nigeria � take the spot of DR Congo in the World Cup playoffs in march if they are found guilty of fielding ineligible players against the super eagles � of Nigeria � when they played last November.

D.R Congo football federation have sent a team of lawyers to help tell FIFA they don’t have the rights to interfere in D.R Congo nationality laws that’s its a political law not a sporting law ..

D.R Congo insists FIFA should concentrate more on the fact that these players have Congolese blood and have Congolese heritage.

D.R Congo lawyers insists all these players have met the requirements for the switch of allegiance from their country of origin to their country of birth and FIFA appved their nationality before they took part in DR Congo matches.

Any update on nff petition against Dr Congo for fielding ineligible player against Nigeria this February next month is march the intercontinental playoff will take place march ending of next month FIFA still has not say anything on the petition

MetalJigsaw:
That one sure say we go nack Jamaica apako.😁

Dr Congo that is planning to switch 12 players nationality from France , Belgium and other European countries before the FIFA world cup playoffs next month lastest news from Dr congo ahead of the FIFA playoff .





List of Players DR Congo 🇨🇩 is Targeting To Switch Nationality Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

🇫🇷 Arnaud Kalimuendo - Eintract Frankfurt
🇫🇷 Dilane Bakwa - Nottingham Forest
🇫🇷 Bradley Locko - Stade Brest
🇫🇷 Jordy Makengo - Freiburg
🇳🇱 Antoni-Djibu Milambo - Brentford
🇬🇧 Marc Bola - Watford
🇧🇪 Samuel Mbangula - Werder Bremen
🇳🇱 Anthony Musaba - Fenerbahce
🇳🇱 Ezechiel Banzuzi - Leipzig

#AfricanFootball
#DRCongo




February 15 we will know the super eagles and the nff faith regarding the Dr congo ineligible player against Nigeria FIFA verdict on the case

elyte89:

“We are still waiting. Hopefully we can go to the World Cup.”

- Alex Iwobi pic.twitter.com/GNEHxhIvlL

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) February 6, 2026

So dis players sef know say we fit still go World Cup

FIFA still never say anything regarding the Nff petition against Dr Congo for fielding ineligible player

On

Sarsaparilla524:
15th February, the FIFA verdict will be given.

. On Sunday after Saturday valentine day FIFA they open office on Sunday to pass verdict . FIFA should please favor us imagine Nigeria not going to the world cup in USA where we have large population in that country

elyte89:
A 2026 World Cup slot will do d magic 😎

FIFA still remains silence on nff petition against Dr Congo for fielding ineligible player against Nigeria in the Africa playoff up till now

🚨 Ademola Lookman is ONE STEP AWAY from joining Atlético Madrid for €35M + €5M in add-ons.

(Source: @DiMarzio)

🚨NFF provides update regarding the petition to FIFA against the DR Congo for fielding ineligible players in the Africa World Cup playoffs final

🧛NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed 🎙️: "We have a good case. We don’t venture into what we know is an exercise in futility.

"As far as we are concerned we have a good case and we are waiting for what FIFA will say as regards to the complaints we have logged."





If we win the case and also win the playoff we be in the same group with Portugal again in the fifa world cup group and we still want to play them in June before world cup.




Nff self

lbrichman2:
Massive 🔥🔥🔥🔥

they may change they mind if Nigeria qualifier for the world cup through fifa verdict cos we will be in the same group with Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan for the 2026 world cup group