NFF Launches Appeal Against FIFA Over DR Congo Eligibility Ruling
The Nigeria Football Federation has begun the process of appealing the decision of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, which dismissed its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo over player eligibility in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff final.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi confirmed that the federation is dissatisfied with FIFA’s ruling and has already taken steps to challenge it.
“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,” he stated.
The petition, filed shortly after the playoff match in Rabat, Morocco, alleged irregularities in the issuance of passports that allowed several DR Congo players to feature in the decisive fixture.
The match, staged at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, before DR Congo triumphed in a sudden-death penalty shootout to secure qualification.
