World Cup hope rises as FIFA notifies NFF of verdict date in DR Congo case
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has reportedly informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of the date it will deliver its verdict on the DR Congo case.
The NFF submitted a petition to FIFA on December 15, 2025, challenging the eligibility of six Congolese players who recently switched their international allegiance.
The NFF argued that the Congolese football governing body, FECOFA, deceived FIFA into approving the nationality switch of some of the players.
Nigeria claimed that the players defied the Congolese constitution, which forbids dual citizenship, as they, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, did not relinquish their European passports.
DR Congo beat Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in the final of the African play-off on November 16 and is due to face the winner of Jamaica vs New Caledonia in the final of the intercontinental play-off in March.
However, the NFF wants the Leopards disqualified for fielding ineligible players, arguing that FIFA approved their change of allegiance under deception.
Should FIFA uphold the protest, Nigeria will have another chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to qualify automatically from their group and losing the play-off.
