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Nigeria Loses World Cup Appeal Against DR Congo

Posted : 18 March 2026

Nigeria has lost its bid to overturn its result against the Democratic Republic of Congo, seeking to nullify the result of the World Cup Playoff, which ended 4-3 on penalties against the African team.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had lodged the petition against DR Congo on the issue of eligibility of some players used by that country in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco on 16th November 2025.

In light of the judgement, the NFF said it had already commenced the process of appealing the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which rejected its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"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," said NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.

The NFF had presented a petition to world football-governing body, FIFA, days after the said match, based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Play-offs.

The match, played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, was the Final of the African Play-offs. The Democratic Republic of Congo won in a sudden-death penalty shootout, after both teams were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra time.

Nigeria's World Cup hopes remain alive only through an appeal, as FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has ruled against the NFF's petition on player eligibility. 

The NFF says it is committed to pursuing the matter further. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Nigeria can still challenge DR Congo's place in the 2026 World Cup.

 

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