- Commences appeal process
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it has already commenced the process of appealing the decision of FIFA Disciplinary Committee rejecting its petition on the issue of eligibility of some players used by the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 2026 World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco on 16th November 2025.
Reacting to the world football body’s rejection of Nigeria’s petition on Tuesday, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision.”
Recalled that the NFF had presented a petition to FIFA days after the said match, based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of DR Congo players for the match, played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco as the final of the African Play-offs.
DR Congo won the match against Nigeria in a sudden-death penalty shootout, after both countries were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra time. That victory set up DR Congo to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff in Mexico later this month to vie for one of the outstanding two 2026 World Cup tickets.
Pundits have continued to express doubt about any positive outcome from the appeal. Unfortunately, the last time Nigeria featured in the World Cup fiesta was at the 2018 tournament held in Russia. This is as the Super Eagles also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.
Given the present circumstances, Nigeria is set to miss consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time since its maiden appearance at USA 1994.
