FIFA DISMISSES NIGERIA’S PROTEST OVER CONGO DR PLAYERS, NFF INITIATES APPEAL
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By: Fasasi Hammad
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced on Monday that FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee has dismissed its protest regarding the eligibility of several players fielded by Congo DR during last November’s African World Cup playoff.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi confirmed that the federation has immediately begun the appeals process. “We have received FIFA’s decision on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the outcome, which rejected our claims. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has already started the process of appealing the decision,” he said.
The appeal is expected to be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), though it remains uncertain whether it will be resolved before the intercontinental playoffs starting March 26. Congo DR is scheduled to play on March 31 for a chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria filed its protest shortly after Congo DR eliminated the Super Eagles in the CAF World Cup playoff final on November 16, 2025, defeating them 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Rabat, Morocco. The NFF’s complaint alleged that six to nine Congolese players improperly switched international allegiances without giving up their European citizenship, which conflicts with Congolese law prohibiting dual nationality.
“Congolese rules clearly state you cannot have dual nationality,” Sanusi said previously. “Many of these players hold European passports—French, Dutch, and others. The rules are explicit.”
However, FIFA regulations differ from Congolese law, requiring only that players hold a valid passport of the country they represent. All disputed players met this standard, which initially allowed FIFA to clear them for participation.
Sanusi maintained that FIFA was misled: “FIFA regulations say once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. They were cleared by FIFA, but our contention is that FIFA was deceived into granting those clearances because it is not FIFA’s responsibility to enforce Congo’s domestic laws.”
Congo DR will face the winner of the semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff, with the winner securing one of the final World Cup spots.
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