FIFA ruling on Nigeria vs DR Congo could redefine African football, says Nigerian official

Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCTFA), Mouktar Mohammed, has described FIFA’s impending decision on the Nigeria-DR Congo eligibility dispute as a “defining moment” for African football, emphasizing the stakes beyond the immediate World Cup qualification drama.

The case, lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in December 2025, challenges the eligibility of several Congolese players who featured in the 2026 World Cup playoff final last November, including high-profile defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.

Nigeria claims these players breached FIFA regulations on nationality switches, noting that Congolese law does not formally permit dual citizenship.

The Super Eagles’ heartbreak was palpable after they lost the playoff 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw, and a ruling in Nigeria’s favour could see the match overturned to a 3–0 forfeit, potentially reinstating them in next month’s intercontinental playoff in Mexico.

“This is a massive case,” Mohammed said. “The dispute centers on the fundamental rules of national eligibility. From a legal standpoint, the NFF has a compelling argument, and we are optimistic about a positive outcome.”

He stressed that the ruling could resonate across the continent, reinforcing compliance and deterring federations from fielding players whose status is questionable.

“FIFA has a rigorous legal framework and experts handling this. While we cannot speculate on the final word, the implications are historic. It would validate compliance rules and force countries to think twice before fielding players with questionable status. It’s about the sanctity of the game.”

Mohammed outlined potential outcomes: FIFA could overturn the result, awarding Nigeria a 3–0 victory; DR Congo could be removed from the qualification pathway entirely; or the match could stand, with financial penalties levied against the Congolese federation (FECOFA) if the breach is deemed administrative rather than deliberate.

He cautioned that a ruling in Nigeria’s favour would not automatically send the Super Eagles to the World Cup – it would simply return them to the intercontinental playoff pathway in March.

The case has sparked fierce debate online, with Lagos fans framing it as a fight for justice, while supporters in Kinshasa accuse Nigeria of attempting to qualify “through the back door.”