18.03.2026 13:01
Nigeria's appeal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers was rejected by FIFA. Nigeria had approached FIFA with the claim that some players from the opposing team had improperly changed their national team allegiance. However, after a four-month investigation, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee rejected Nigeria's appeal. Nigeria Football Federation Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi stated that they were not satisfied with the decision and announced that they had initiated the appeal process.
Bad news came from FIFA to Nigeria, which was eliminated by the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the playoff final of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The governing body of world football rejected the appeal made by the Nigeria Football Federation.
ALLEGATION OF IRREGULAR PLAYERS TAKEN TO FIFA
In the match played on November 16, 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo eliminated Nigeria through penalty shootouts, advancing to the next round. After the match, the Nigerian side appealed to FIFA, claiming that the opposing team had irregularly changed the national team preferences of 6 to 9 players.
FIFA MADE ITS DECISION
After an investigation lasting approximately four months, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee rejected Nigeria's appeal. Nigeria Football Federation Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi stated that they were not satisfied with the decision and announced that they had initiated the appeal process.
Sanusi said, "We received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, but we are not pleased with the rejection. As a federation, we have immediately started the appeal process."
CAS PROCESS IS NEXT
Nigeria is expected to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). However, it remains uncertain whether the appeal process will be concluded before the intercontinental playoff starting on March 26.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica in the match to be played on March 31. The winner of this matchup will earn the right to participate in the World Cup.
ALLEGATION OF "FIFA BEING MISLED"
Sanusi also stated that the players in question appeared to be eligible according to FIFA rules, but as a federation, they believed that FIFA had been misled.