FIFA Executive Council to meet Tuesday over Nigeria, DR Congo eligibility row
By Tosin Omojola –
There are strong indications that a final decision on the protest filed by Nigeria against the Democratic Republic of Congo over the alleged fielding of ineligible players could be taken on Tuesday.
While Nigerians eagerly await the outcome of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) petition against DR Congo, sources suggest that the matter has progressed to a higher decision-making level.
A reliable source disclosed that Monday’s anticipated decision has been referred to members of the FIFA Executive Council, who are expected to meet on February 17 in Zurich, the FIFA headquarters.
The FIFA Council comprises 37 members led by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. It includes vice-presidents representing each confederation—Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa (AFC), Alejandro Domínguez (CONMEBOL), Vittorio Montagliani (CONCACAF), Aleksander Čeferin (UEFA), Lambert Maltock (OFC), and Patrice Motsepe (CAF)—as well as other members from national associations worldwide.
However, based on available information as of mid-February 2026, there is no officially scheduled FIFA Council meeting for the remainder of the month. If the meeting takes place as speculated, it is likely to be an emergency session convened to consider the NFF petition.
The Council last met in late January, when it took key decisions concerning the 2026 Women’s Champions Cup.
It was also learnt that the Ethics Committee met on Monday in line with Articles 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes and subsequently referred the matter to the Executive Council for approval.
Meanwhile, the NFF on Monday dismissed media speculation that a decision had already been reached, describing the conflicting reports circulating in the media as false.
