The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has dismissed a petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation challenging the eligibility of players used by the Democratic Republic of Congo national football team in a 2026 World Cup play-off.
The ruling relates to the match played in Rabat last November, where Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties.
The NFF had raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the issuance of passports to some Congolese players, arguing that the process may have enabled ineligible individuals to feature in the game.
After reviewing the complaint, FIFA’s disciplinary body rejected the protest, effectively upholding the match result.
Despite the setback, the NFF has initiated an appeal against the decision.
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“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, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, in a statement on Tuesday, March 17.
Meanwhile, DR Congo continue their qualification campaign and are set to face the winner of the fixture between the Jamaica national football team and the New Caledonia national football team.
The next round of matches will be held in Mexico, with games scheduled in Guadalajara and Monterrey, as six teams compete for the final two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, 2026.