FIFA Ends NFF World Cup Hallucination ,Dismisses Appeal Over DR Congo Player Eligibility
Reports say FIFA has officially dismissed Nigeria’s appeal challenging the eligibility of Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) players in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter, bringing an end to the matter and leaving the original result unchanged.
In its ruling, FIFA’s adjudicatory body confirmed that DR Congo fully complied with all relevant provisions of the FIFA Statutes and Regulations. As a result, the outcome of the match — a 4–3 victory for DR Congo via a penalty shootout — has been upheld.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had lodged the appeal on the grounds that several Congolese players were allegedly ineligible under DR Congo’s domestic laws, which generally restrict dual citizenship. However, FIFA clarified that player eligibility in international competitions is assessed strictly under FIFA regulations, not domestic legal frameworks.
According to FIFA, all the players fielded by DR Congo possessed valid Congolese passports and had been duly pre-cleared by the world football governing body prior to the match, thereby satisfying all eligibility requirements.
With FIFA’s decision regarded as final in such cases, no further appeals are expected. The ruling effectively ends Nigeria’s hopes of advancing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers through this route.
Attention now turns to DR Congo, who will shift focus to preparations for the inter-confederational playoffs scheduled for March 2026, as they continue their quest for a place at the FIFA World Cup.
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