Nigeria Awaits FIFA Verdict to Keep 2026 World Cup Hopes Alive
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
NIGERIA’S bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico hangs in the balance as the country awaits FIFA’s decision on a protest lodged against DR Congo over alleged ineligible players.
After losing the African play-offs final to DR Congo on penalties in Morocco last November, hopes of a second chance were rekindled following the National Football Federation’s (NFF) complaint, which alleges that some Congolese players violated FIFA nationality rules.
The Controversy
FIFA statutes permit a player to request a change of national association only once, with a formal written application required and approval granted by FIFA’s Players’ Status Committee. The process also mandates that the player hold a passport of the new nation they wish to represent.
According to NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the complication arises because Congolese law forbids dual nationality. “FIFA rules say once you have a passport of your country, you’re eligible, and that is why they were cleared. But our concern is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them. It is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic regulations; FIFA acts based on what is submitted to it. What we are saying is that the process was fraudulent,” Sanusi explained.
If FIFA upholds Nigeria’s protest, the Super Eagles could advance to the intercontinental play-offs, scheduled from 26 to 31 March in Mexico. DR Congo will face the winner of the New Caledonia–Jamaica tie, with the victor earning a spot at the World Cup.
Players and Officials Hopeful
Amid the uncertainty, optimism remains high within the Nigerian camp. Midfielder Alex Iwobi expressed hope: “I mean, we’re still waiting — hopefully we can go to the World Cup.” Similarly, officials, including Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, have suggested that the matter could ultimately reach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if FIFA’s decision is contested.
“The case might even go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Dikko said, noting that FIFA is still handling the petition.
The 2026 World Cup will be staged across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July. For now, Nigeria waits, hoping that a successful petition could turn last November’s heartbreak into a historic reprieve.
