Fifa World Cup Playoffs: NFF appeal Fifa decision on petition against DR Congo

Nigeria no gree comot body from di 2026 Fifa World Cup despite di verdict ontop dia petition against DR Congo.

Di Super Eagles wey lose dat final 4-3 on penalties submit dia complaint say DR Congo bin use ineligible players - players wey no qualify.

Wit dat playoff final win, DR Congo go play intercontinental qualifier in March wey go decide which two teams go enta di world cup for Canada, Mexico and United States.

But di Super Eagles say dem no go gree - dem file petition to Fifa say some of di players wey di Leopards of DR Congo use for dat game, no qualify to play.

Di 2026 Fifa World Cup go hold for three kontris – US, Mexico and Canada.

For December 2025 Fifa say sporting eligibility dey based on di possession of valid passport and prior approval of di change of national association, and DRC do am for dia players.

For di latest statement dem release on Tuesday, di NFF say dem don already start di process to appeal di decision of Fifa Disciplinary Committee.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi for one signed statement tok say "we no dey satisfied wit di decision, wey reject our petition"

E say dem don conclude plans to appeal di Fifa verdict.

"Di Nigeria Football Federation don already start di process of appealing di decision of di Fifa Disciplinary Committee, wey reject our petition against di Democratic Republic of Congo on di issue of eligibility of some players dem use for di 2026 Fifa World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria for Rabat, Morocco on 16 November 2025.

"We don see di decision of di FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we no dey satisfied wit di decision, wey reject our petition. I wan assure Nigerians say di NFF don start di process of appealing di decision."

Di football govning body, Fifa on Monday 16 March sama Nigeria and DR Congo wit fine sake of dia 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying playoff final.

Di sanctions come afta Fifa bin release list of disciplinary measures wey dem take against some cases but dem say some 'decisions dey subject to appeal.'

Details of di Nigeria protest to Fifa

Nigeria tell Fifa say wetin DR Congo do be "fraud" sake of some of di players wey recently switch dia nationality to play for di Leopards, no dey eligible to play for dem.

Di federation believe say players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka wey dey play for Westham, Axel Tuanzebe wey dey play for Burnley and Tephy Mavididi wey dey play for Leicester City, no dey eligible sake of DR Congo no dey allow dual citizenship.

"We believe say dem deceive Fifa to clear dem," Nigeria football federation secretary Mohammed Sanusi tok at di time dem file di complaint.

"For Congolese rule, pesin no fit get dual nationality but some of dia players get European and French passport."

"Dis be wetin we dey tok say na breach of Fifa regulation. We dey tok say na fraud."

Di NFF say dem bin present document and oda legal arguments to Fifa for dis mata wey dem dey expect positive ruling.