Breaking: Ndidi Cleared to Play Against DR Congo as CAF Confirms Eligibility Under FIFA Rules

Relief has swept through the Super Eagles camp as CAF officially confirmed that midfield star Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature in Sunday’s crucial FIFA World Cup playoff clash against DR Congo.

Concerns had arisen over Ndidi’s availability following cautions he picked up during the qualifying group stage. However, CAF clarified that under the FIFA Disciplinary Code, cautions do not carry over into the playoff phase.

Quoting directly from the code, Article 52 – Carry-over of cautions states:

‘Cautions received during one competition stage do not carry over to another stage, unless the regulations of the competition provide otherwise.’

Furthermore, Article 53 – Suspensions provides:

‘Suspensions resulting from red cards or from the accumulation of cautions that have already triggered a suspension shall be carried over to the next stage of the competition.’

In line with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Regulations, the group stage and playoff stage are treated as separate phases.

This means that all yellow cards accumulated during the group stage are cancelled at the end of that round. Only suspensions already in effect, such as those from red cards or accumulated cautions that led to a ban, are carried forward.

CAF’s ruling therefore clears Ndidi to play, as his cautions were wiped clean after the group stage and he had not served any suspension triggered by them.

The confirmation comes as a major boost for Nigeria, who face DR Congo in a do-or-die encounter that will determine their path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.