NFF REFUTES REPORTS OF FIFA RULING ON DR CONGO ELIGIBILITY DISPUTE
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By: Muftau Fatimo
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed widespread reports claiming that FIFA has delivered a ruling on Nigeria’s protest against the DR Congo national football team over the alleged fielding of ineligible players.
The controversy arose after Nigeria was knocked out on penalties by the Leopards in the decisive round of the African play-offs last November, a defeat that dashed the Nigeria national football team hopes of progressing to the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following the match, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged an official protest with FIFA, challenging the eligibility of certain players in the DR Congo national football team squad. The federation maintained that Congolese law does not recognise dual citizenship, raising questions about players who possess European passports while representing the Leopards.
NFF officials have since clarified that FIFA is yet to deliver any decision on the issue. Ademola Olajire, the federation’s Director of Communications, dismissed reports suggesting a ruling in favour of either Nigeria or DR Congo as “false and misleading.”
“There is no decision from FIFA at this time. Any claims suggesting otherwise are untrue. FIFA has not communicated any verdict to the Nigeria Football Federation or the Congolese federation,” Mr Olajire said in an interview with 234Sports.
The clarification is aimed at countering widespread online speculation, including fabricated documents alleging that FIFA had awarded Nigeria a 3–0 win over the DR Congo national football team and reinstated the Nigeria national football team to the next phase of World Cup qualification. The NFF stressed that such reports are entirely false and should be disregarded.
Background of the dispute
Nigeria’s petition focused on DR Congo’s domestic law, which largely prohibits dual citizenship for adults. According to the NFF, some Leopards players allegedly retained foreign passports including European nationality without formally renouncing their previous citizenship. Among the players referenced in the petition were individuals reportedly holding Belgian, English, French, or Dutch passports.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the federation submitted the petition to FIFA, raising concerns that the Congolese FA may have provided incomplete or misleading documentation when seeking FIFA clearance for these players.
As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi explained to the media
DR Congo’s response
DR Congo has publicly rejected Nigeria’s claims, urging the Super Eagles to accept the result on the pitch. The Congolese FA, through Director of Football Hérita Ilunga, stressed that FIFA’s definition of sporting nationality, not domestic citizenship law, governs eligibility.
“If that is the situation, I would advise our dear Naija to shift attention to the AFCON,” Hérita Ilunga remarked.
On social media, the DR Congo national football team portrayed Nigeria’s protest as an effort to reverse the outcome away from the field of play. In a post on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Congolese side stated:
“If you cannot secure victory on the pitch, do not attempt to claim it through the back door. The World Cup should be contested with dignity and confidence, not through legal manoeuvres. Bring it on.”
What Happens Next
FIFA has the mandate to probe allegations of fraud or document falsification, and any proven violations could attract sanctions ranging from player suspensions and match forfeitures to expulsion from competitions. That said, the global governing body typically bases eligibility decisions on passports and official documents submitted during the clearance process.
At present, the issue remains under consideration. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, stating that it will only issue further updates upon receiving formal communication from FIFA. Until such notice is given, reports claiming a verdict either in Nigeria’s favour or against the DR Congo national football team are without basis.
When a decision is eventually delivered, it is expected to provide clarity on the eligibility of the disputed players and determine the Nigeria national football team route in the World Cup qualification race.
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