By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 14, 2026

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 Punch Ng

Posted February 14, 2026

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