FIFA To Rule On Nigeria’s Protest Against DR Congo On February 16

FIFA To Rule On Nigeria’s Protest Against DR Congo On February 16

By BSN Sports 

World football governing body FIFA is set to deliver its decision on Monday, February 16, regarding Nigeria’s eligibility protest against DR Congo national football team.

The complaint was formally lodged in December by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which alleged that at least six DR Congo players who featured in the 2025 African play-off final had recently switched nationalities and were therefore ineligible to represent the Central African nation.

Nigeria’s senior national team, the Nigeria national football team, lost the decisive fixture 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in regulation time, narrowly missing out on progression.

NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has expressed confidence in the federation’s case, stating that Nigeria would not have pursued the matter without solid grounds.

“We have a good case,” Sanusi said recently. “We don’t go into things that would be a waste of time. We believe we have a strong case, and we are waiting for FIFA’s decision on our complaints.”

Should FIFA rule in Nigeria’s favour, the Super Eagles would be granted entry into the Intercontinental Play-Off tournament scheduled for March in Mexico. A successful campaign in that competition would secure one of the remaining African berths at the FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The impending verdict could therefore have significant implications for Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions, with the nation’s hopes of reaching the expanded 2026 tournament hanging in the balance.