NFF Petition Awaits Final Approval As FIFA Council Meeting Looms

NFF Petition Awaits Final Approval As FIFA Council Meeting Looms

By Admin 

A decision in the eligibility dispute between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Congolese Football Association is understood to have been reached internally at FIFA, with the matter now reportedly awaiting final consideration by the FIFA Council, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Sources familiar with the proceedings indicate that the anticipated ruling on Nigeria’s petition against the DR Congo Football Federation (FECOFA) has been referred to the FIFA Council, which is expected to convene in Zurich on February 17.

The NFF’s protest challenges the eligibility of certain DR Congo players who featured in the decisive African play-off for the 2026 World Cup, a tie Nigeria lost on penalties.

Council’s Role

The FIFA Council is the organisation’s principal decision-making body between sessions of the FIFA Congress. It comprises 37 members — one president, eight vice-presidents and 28 other members drawn from the six continental confederations.

The Council is chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and includes senior football administrators such as Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa (AFC), Alejandro Dominguez (CONMEBOL), Vittorio Montagliani (CONCACAF), Aleksander Ceferin (UEFA), Lambert Maltock (OFC) and Patrice Motsepe (CAF).

However, as of mid-February 2026, there has been no publicly scheduled FIFA Council meeting announced for the remainder of the month. Should a meeting take place on February 17, it would likely constitute an extraordinary or emergency session convened to deliberate on the NFF petition.

The Council last met in late January, when key decisions were taken concerning the 2026 Women’s Champions Cup.

Ethics Committee Review

It is further understood that FIFA’s Ethics Committee convened earlier to examine the matter in line with Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes. Following its review, the committee is said to have referred its findings to the Council for final approval.

While neither FIFA nor the NFF has issued an official statement confirming these developments, anticipation continues to build in Nigeria as stakeholders await formal communication from Zurich.

If confirmed, the Council’s decision would determine whether Nigeria’s protest succeeds or whether DR Congo’s qualification remains intact — a ruling with significant competitive and administrative implications for both federations.

Until FIFA makes an official announcement, however, the status of the case remains subject to formal ratification.