Nigeria stayed outside the World Cup 2026 when losing on penalties against the Democratic Republic of the Congo but the desktop can save it. The Federation presented a formal protest before the FIFA because it ensures that the opponent fielded ineligible players during the African playoffs.
After equalizing 1 to 1, Congo eliminated Nigeria by winning 4-3 in shots from twelve steps, in a match played in Rabat, Morocco. This gave the winner a pass to the intercontinental repechage.
According to the Nigerian leadership, there were between six and nine footballersmany with European passports (like West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Sunderland’s Masuaku), who did not meet the eligibility requirements. Specifically, they did not formally renounce their former citizenship, which violates the DR Congo Constitution, which prohibits dual nationality.
Nigeria argues that FIFA initially approved these players based on documentation provided by DR Congo, but that this process was “fraudulent” or incomplete.
The Secretary General of the Federation of Nigeria, Mohammed Sanusiconfirmed the presentation of the petition and stressed that the rules are clear in this regard.
If FIFA rules in favor of Nigeria, DR Congo could face sanctions such as loss of matches or even disqualification, which would put the Super Eagles in the intercontinental playoff.
What is the playoffs like? On Thursday, March 26, Jamaica and New Caledonia will face each other at the Akron Stadium in Chivas de Guadalajara, for the semifinal. The winner will play for the ticket to the 2026 World Cup, on Tuesday, March 31 in the same stadium, until now against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Whoever passes from this series will go to the group of Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Of course, any FIFA sanction can be appealed, first to the entity’s Court and then to the CAS. The short times until the Repechage work in Congo’s favor.
During the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Bolivia fielded soccer player Nelson Cabrera in the matches against Chile and Peru. There was an initial claim from the ANFP of Chile, because that player was born in Paraguay and did not have the five years of residence that the law of that country required to naturalize.
FIFA agreed with Chile, which added points, like Peru, which finally beat La Roja and played in the competition, by capitalizing on a mistake noticed by another Federation.
