FIFA Word Cup eligibility row: National Sports Commission Chairman confident Nigeria will prevail against DR Congo

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will secure a favorable ruling in its eligibility dispute with Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The controversy stems from the Super Eagles’ 4-3 penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoffs last November.
 
Following the defeat, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) filed a formal petition with FIFA, questioning the eligibility of certain Congolese players.

At the heart of the protest are concerns linked to DR Congo’s national laws, which reportedly limit dual citizenship for adults. The NFF argues that some Congolese players may possess European passports while representing their national team, potentially breaching domestic legal provisions.
 

“It is what it is. When we came in as a sports commission, the World Cup qualification campaign was already in a difficult position. We had three points out of 12, but we worked closely with the NFF and pushed hard. We nearly made it,” Dikko said.

“We lost on penalties, but we identified certain breaches even before the playoffs and documented them. Together with the NFF, we submitted what we believe are violations of the rules. It’s not about being sore losers; it’s about due process.”

Dikko explained that the matter is now before independent judicial bodies within FIFA, including its disciplinary and ethics committees, which will determine the outcome based strictly on established regulations.

“These bodies operate independently. They won’t announce timelines. When they conclude their review, they will inform the world,” he said. 

Despite the pending decision, Dikko emphasized that Nigeria has moved on from the World Cup setback and is now focused on upcoming competitions, including the next Africa Cup of Nations and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

“The World Cup chapter is closed for us, but we still have a legal matter before FIFA. We are confident we have a strong case. That is why we filed it,” he added.