FIFA responds to NFF's appeal against DR Congo

Thd world football governing body FIFA has issued its response to the appeal submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) regarding the controversial case involving the DR Congo Football Federation.

NFF comfirmed the news on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as they confirmed that the earlier protest alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff encounter has been rejected. However, FIFA’s initial ruling dismissed the claims, allowing DR Congo’s result to stand a decision that prompted swift action from the NFF.

What did NFF say about FIFA’s decision?

The NFF has already commenced the process of appealing the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which rejected its petition against the Democratic Republic of 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.

“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."

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.

However, FIFA has maintained its original stance, indicating that there has been no immediate reversal of the earlier verdict. The governing body confirmed that while the appeal process has been formally acknowledged, the case will now proceed through its established judicial channels for further review.

Meanwhile, DR Congo continues its preparations for the next stage of the qualification process, with uncertainty still hanging over the outcome of the appeal. The timing of the case adds further pressure, as the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup edges closer to a decisive phase.

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