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FIFA is set to rule on Monday on Nigeria’s petition against Democratic Republic of Congo over alleged use of ineligible players, a decision that could reshape Africa’s final World Cup qualification picture, Saturday PUNCH reports.

FIFA’s meeting scheduled for February 16 is expected to address numerous issues including the Nigeria Football Federation’s protest against DR Congo, with the outcome potentially reinstating the Super Eagles into the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico later this month, where one of the last World Cup tickets is on offer.

The NFF’s protest is centred on allegations that six Congolese players were ineligible during last year’s 2026 World Cup African play-offs, where Nigeria lost on penalties in Morocco.

NFF officials insist they would not have gone this far without confidence in their evidence.

“We believe that we have a chance; that is why we petitioned. If we knew we didn’t have a chance, we wouldn’t have petitioned,” NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said, stressing that Nigeria followed due process in submitting documents and legal arguments.

Adding a political dimension to the case is the reported involvement of CAF General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba, a Swiss-Congolese national with close ties to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

With both Nigeria and DR Congo reportedly prepared to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if dissatisfied, world football’s governing body is said to be treating the file with exceptional caution to avoid reputational damage.

At the heart of the dispute lies FIFA’s nationality-switching regulations. A player may only change international allegiance once and must do so through a formal, documented process approved by FIFA.

According to BBC Sports, Nigeria argues that the Congolese FA misrepresented facts regarding the nationality status of certain players, particularly given DR Congo’s domestic law prohibiting dual citizenship.

According to the NFF, FIFA may have been “deceived” into clearing the players, even if paperwork appeared valid on the surface.

Recent precedents, including FIFA’s firm stance in other eligibility cases, have encouraged Nigeria’s belief that the governing body will prioritise regulatory consistency.

A successful appeal would see Nigeria face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia in Mexico, with a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico at stake.

The verdict will not only decide a footballing outcome but could also set a powerful precedent on how FIFA handles eligibility disputes in an era of complex nationality laws and globalised football careers.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has suggested that the final recourse for Nigeria and DR Congo could be the Court of Arbitration for Sport following FIFA’s verdict.

“It requires a lot of things, and by the time it is finally decided, whether Nigeria wins or DR Congo wins, I believe the case might even go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Dikko said.

NFF submitted a petition to FIFA on December 15, 2025, challenging the eligibility of six Congolese players who recently switched their international allegiance.

Source: https://punchng.com/fifa-monday-meeting-to-determine-eagles-world-cup-fate/

Great100000:
Congratulations, Nigeria! We're not just going to the World Cup — we're going there to win it and make history as the first African nation to lift the trophy!" 🇳🇬🔥

yeye Dey smell.

Keep on dreaming. It’s allowed

Nigeria must not be smuggled through the back door.

Nigeria doesn't deserve to go to World Cup! Better prepared teams should go

Nigerians and their lazy minded thinking.
NFF are mentally lazy.
Instead of work hard and qualify, they are looking for short cut.
I doubt if FIFA will pass any judgement that will favour the Lazy minded NFF.
Yeye dey smell

Great100000:
Congratulations, Nigeria! We're not just going to the World Cup — we're going there to win it and make history as the first African nation to lift the trophy!" 🇳🇬🔥

Action bitters talk.

We lost the ticket so let’s get over it and prepare for the next one.

This is where tinubu should have share the envelopes with love to secure our spot

Nigeria doesn't deserve to be in the world cup, that's the fact and truth.

seunmsg:
We lost the ticket so let’s get over it and prepare for the next one.

The lobbyist $9m would have done wonders here

Toolegit123:
Nigeria doesn't deserve to be in the world cup, that's the fact and truth.

will you keep quiet, it's you that don't deserve to watch the world cup

Nigeria is going to the World Cup


You heard it here first

Head or tail, we go bounce

Nigeria will definitely make it to the world cup mundial,
But then we have to make it out of the play offs

All eyes on FIFA.
Till then, fingers crossed.

Wow!!! Congratulations in advance.

So it's still possible.
They need us in the world cup.
Ademola lookman and Osimhen deserves world cup goals

Backdoor entrance won't work. FIFA doesn't determine each country's citizenship criteria / approvals.. they only apply decisions by countries

We should not go into the World Cup through the back door. It will only be opportunity for the officials to storm the place. Next time we should prepare for the World cup qualifying matches and not hope on luck

ogaemma:
Action bitters talk.

+
A most abominable concoction.

SonofElElyonRet:
Backdoor entrance won't work. FIFA doesn't determine each country's citizenship criteria / approvals.. they only apply decisions by countries

How sure are you? Don't you know they can bend some rules for the giant of Africa

Nigeria will go to the world cup inshallah

Always seeking to qualify through the back door

If you win your games, there will be no need whatsoever to be looking for loopholes to qualify

That's nothing but wizardry if the truth must be told

As a patriotic Nigerian, I wish the Super Eagles the best of luck.

Nigeria is not going anywhere
Must we always export our corruption to international stage

I don't think they would replace Congo with Nigeria at the playoffs. The chances are slim

Nigeria and their wuruwuru qualification style.
FIFA must not allow mediocre like Super eagles to play in the world cup

Fekumzi123:
How sure are you? Don't you know they can bend some rules for the giant of Africa

Let's see.. Giant of Africa wey no fit beat Congo

I consider myself a patriotic Nigerian. But, i dont want Nigeria to go to this world cup. We were drawing at home in the qualifiers. We had a group that included Lesotho and Zimbabwe. If Congo showed more patriotism than us, then let the better team represent Africa. It will also help people with HBP.