FIFA's 2025 Annual Report Silent on Nigeria's World Cup Eligibility Petition Against DR Congo
World football's governing body, FIFA, has published its comprehensive CAS & Football Annual Report for 2025, yet the document contains no reference to the ongoing petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Democratic Republic of Congo. This omission comes at a critical juncture as both nations anxiously await a ruling that could dramatically alter the qualification path for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Background of the Disputed World Cup Playoff Match
The controversy stems from the African playoff match held in Rabat last November, where Nigeria suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo after extra time. This result effectively eliminated the Super Eagles from direct progression to the Intercontinental Playoffs, dealing a significant blow to their World Cup aspirations.
On December 15, 2025, the NFF formally submitted a petition to FIFA alleging that DR Congo fielded several ineligible players during the crucial playoff encounter. The Nigerian federation contends that six Congolese players did not meet proper eligibility requirements under their country's domestic laws, despite having received clearance through FIFA's sporting nationality procedures.
Key Players at the Center of the Eligibility Dispute
Among the players specifically mentioned in Nigeria's protest are Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom previously represented England at various youth levels before switching their international allegiance to DR Congo. The NFF argues that the clearance process for these players contained procedural irregularities and that DR Congo may have submitted incomplete documentation when seeking approval for their participation.
According to BBC Sports reports, Nigeria's case hinges on the distinction between FIFA's rules on sporting nationality and domestic citizenship laws, creating a legal grey area that has transformed this dispute into one of the most closely monitored cases in contemporary African football.
FIFA's Official Position and Executive Authority
FIFA has confirmed that the matter remains under active review but has not provided any specific timeline for a final decision. The organization has clarified that only its Executive Committee, chaired by President Gianni Infantino, possesses the authority to make any formal announcement regarding the NFF's petition against DR Congo.
The absence of any mention of the case in FIFA's newly released 2025 report has sparked renewed debate among football stakeholders, particularly after expectations had risen that a decision might be announced around mid-February following a scheduled Ethics Committee meeting.
Content of FIFA's 2025 CAS & Football Annual Report
Instead of addressing the Nigeria-DR Congo dispute, FIFA's 2025 publication focuses extensively on the broader role of football in global sports arbitration. The report reveals that 77 percent of all cases registered with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2025 involved football-related matters, underscoring the sport's dominant position in international sports law.
The document outlines how CAS continues to serve as the primary independent body for reviewing appeals against FIFA decisions, in accordance with Article 49 of the FIFA Statutes. It also provides comprehensive summaries of key case law from both CAS and the Swiss Federal Tribunal, drawn from FIFA's quarterly legal updates.
NFF's Response to Speculation and False Reports
In a related development, the Nigeria Football Federation has strongly dismissed circulating reports suggesting that FIFA has already delivered a verdict on Nigeria's protest. The federation has clarified that no official decision has been communicated and has urged fans to disregard what it describes as fake and misleading information spreading across various online platforms.
The NFF maintains that all proper procedures have been followed in submitting their petition and continues to await FIFA's formal ruling on the matter.
Potential Implications for World Cup Qualification
Should Nigeria's appeal ultimately succeed, the Super Eagles could be dramatically reinstated into the qualification race, receiving an unexpected lifeline in their quest to return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2018. This would involve Nigeria replacing DR Congo as Africa's representatives in the Intercontinental Playoff tournament scheduled to take place in Mexico next month.
Conversely, DR Congo has consistently rejected Nigeria's claims, maintaining that all their players were properly cleared under FIFA's established regulations and that their victory was legitimate and should stand without further challenge.
As the football world watches closely, Nigerian fans remain in a state of uncertainty, with no clear indication of when FIFA's Executive Committee might render its final decision on this high-stakes eligibility dispute that could reshape Africa's representation at the 2026 World Cup.
