FIFA Rejects Nigeria’s Protest, Confirms DR Congo Victory in 2026 World Cup Qualifier
2 min read
Introduction
FIFA has officially dismissed Nigeria’s protest over the eligibility of a DR Congo player in their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, confirming the original result that knocked the Super Eagles out of the qualification race. The ruling has sparked strong reactions across Nigerian football circles, with fans and officials expressing disappointment over the outcome.
FIFA’s Decision on Nigeria’s Protest
Nigeria filed the protest shortly after the match, alleging that DR Congo fielded a player who failed to meet FIFA’s eligibility requirements. According to the complaint, the player’s nationality status, documentation, and previous international appearances violated FIFA regulations.
However, after a comprehensive review, FIFA’s adjudicatory body ruled that DR Congo fully complied with all eligibility rules. The global football governing body found no breach of statutes and upheld the match result as it stands.
As a result, no points were awarded to Nigeria, no replay was ordered, and the outcome remains unchanged in the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings.
Impact on Nigeria’s World Cup Campaign
The decision officially ends Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through this campaign. The ruling was met with widespread frustration among Super Eagles supporters, many of whom had hoped for a technical reversal to revive Nigeria’s qualification chances.
Despite the setback, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) acknowledged FIFA’s ruling and stated that they would respect the decision while shifting focus to rebuilding and future competitions.
FIFA Emphasizes Integrity of the Qualification Process
In its statement, FIFA stressed that the investigation involved a detailed examination of player records, federation submissions, and official communications. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and transparency in the World Cup qualification process.
With FIFA indicating that no further appeals are expected in such eligibility cases, attention now turns to DR Congo as they continue their push toward securing a place at the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion
FIFA’s rejection of Nigeria’s protest underscores the importance of on-field performance over post-match litigation. While the ruling is a bitter blow for Nigerian football, it also highlights FIFA’s firm stance on upholding the integrity of its competitions as the road to the 2026 World Cup continues.
Read also — Nigeria Loses World Cup Spot to DR Congo in Penalty Shootout Heartbreaker
Source — https://punchng.com/
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