Nigeria's dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been unexpectedly reignited following a dramatic intervention by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Formal Protest Lodged Over Alleged Rule Breaches
The NFF has submitted a formal petition to world football's governing body, FIFA, challenging the eligibility of several players who represented the Democratic Republic of Congo in a crucial playoff match against the Super Eagles. This match, which took place in November, saw Nigeria eliminated after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss. However, serious questions have now emerged regarding the legitimacy of the Congolese squad that secured that victory.
Reports indicate that as many as six players in the DR Congo team may not have fully completed the mandatory nationality switch process as stipulated by FIFA regulations. The core of Nigeria's argument hinges on Congolese domestic law, which does not recognise dual nationality. The NFF alleges that the players in question did not formally renounce their previous citizenships, a legal requirement in DR Congo.
Passport Issues and Alleged Deception
Further complicating the matter is the status of players holding European passports who were over the age of 21. This specific circumstance is a potential red flag under FIFA's strict eligibility rules. NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed the federation's decisive action.
"We're waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have a dual citizenship or nationality," Sanusi stated. "Wan-Bissaka has a European passport; there are some of them that have French passports, some of them Dutch passports. The rules are very clear, and we have submitted our petition."
Sanusi elaborated that while FIFA initially cleared the players based on documentation provided by the Congolese federation, Nigeria believes the process was fundamentally flawed. "FIFA was deceived into clearing them," he asserted. "It is not the responsibility of FIFA to ensure that the regulations of Congo are followed. FIFA goes by its own regulations... What we are saying is that it was fraudulent."
A Glimmer of Hope for Nigerian Supporters
The case is now under official review by FIFA's disciplinary committee. The potential consequences are monumental for Nigerian football. Should the NFF's petition succeed, the Super Eagles could be reinstated into the race for the 2026 World Cup. This would mean a place in the Intercontinental Playoffs scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, provided the relevant fixtures have not already been played by the time a decision is reached.
This development has sent a wave of renewed optimism across Nigeria, where fans had already mourned the team's exit from the tournament. The outcome of FIFA's investigation, expected in the coming weeks, will be the final determinant of whether Nigeria's campaign can be miraculously revived or if the dream is truly over.
