FIFA has officially dismissed the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) protest against DR Congo regarding player eligibility in their 2026 World Cup play-off. According to veteran journalist Kunle Solaja, the case was thrown out on procedural grounds rather than the merits of the eligibility claims.
The NFF had alleged that several DR Congo players featured in the November 16, 2025, match—which Nigeria lost on penalties—had irregularities in their passport issuance. However, the governing body ruled that Nigeria failed to follow the strict protocols outlined in Article 8 of the competition regulations.
The primary reason for the dismissal was a major timing error. While FIFA requires protests to be communicated within two hours of the match and documented within 24 hours, the NFF did not submit its complaint until November 28—nearly two weeks after the final whistle.
Furthermore, the mandatory protest fee of 1,000 Swiss francs was never paid. Because this financial requirement was ignored, FIFA’s judicial bodies never formally processed or reviewed the evidence provided by the Nigerian federation.
With the NFF formally notified of the decision on March 9, 2026, the Super Eagles’ campaign for the 2026 World Cup has officially ended. DR Congo’s qualification stands, and they will represent Africa in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
