Nigeria to appeal FIFA’s rejection of DR Congo case to keep World Cup hopes alive

Nigeria are not backing down on their hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to The Athletic, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed it will appeal a decision by FIFA after their protest against DR Congo was dismissed.

This comes after Nigeria’s gut-wrenching 4-3 defeat against DR Congo in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after both sides settled for a 1-1 draw after extra time.

That result sent DR Congo into the next phase of the World Cup qualification process at the expense of the Super Eagles, but they’re not giving up without a fight.

DR Congo are scheduled to play the winner of the Jamaica versus New Caledonia game at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico, on March 31.

The NFF subsequently filed a petition with FIFA, alleging ‘perceived fraud’ in the supplying of passports that qualified several DR Congo players for the play-offs.

In a statement, the NFF confirmed that FIFA reviewed the complaint but ultimately ruled against Nigeria. 

“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition,” said NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi.

“But we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision.”

Sanusi also made it clear that the federation believes the decision is flawed and that an appeal is already underway. He believes the issue is too important to ignore, given what’s at stake.

The NFF’s argument is based on the principle of dual nationality. According to the United Kingdom government, DR Congo does not recognise dual citizenship.

The only exception is if a child was born abroad and holds the citizenship of their birth nation. But even then, they must renounce that citizenship when they turn 21.

Sanusi claimed that several DR Congo players had other passports, which constitutes an infringement.