Nigeria keeps World Cup faith alive as FIFA weighs DR Congo eligibility saga

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has reassured Nigerians that the country’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain intact despite growing uncertainty surrounding the qualification race.

In recent days, anxiety has spread among supporters of the Nigeria national football team after FIFA released information regarding the upcoming intercontinental playoffs for the global tournament. The announcement listed the DR Congo national football team among the six teams expected to compete for the final two spots at the 2026 showpiece.

The development raised questions among Nigerian football fans, many of whom feared that the inclusion of DR Congo in the playoff lineup could signal a setback for Nigeria’s qualification ambitions.

However, Dikko has moved to calm the growing tension, insisting that the situation is far from settled. According to the sports administrator, FIFA has not yet delivered its final ruling on an ongoing case concerning the eligibility of certain players used by DR Congo in the qualification process.

“As far as we know, FIFA has not yet announced its decision. We are watching the situation closely,” Dikko stated while addressing the issue.

He emphasized that DR Congo’s appearance in FIFA’s preliminary playoff list should not be interpreted as a definitive judgment on the matter.

“The fact that DR Congo appears on the list of teams for the playoff does not mean the case has been decided. Once FIFA releases its verdict, the situation may change,” he explained.

The case surrounding the eligibility of players has become a crucial point in the qualification battle, with the outcome potentially affecting the standings and the teams that eventually secure playoff opportunities for the expanded 2026 tournament.

With the World Cup set to be hosted across United States, Canada and Mexico, the competition promises to be historic as it will feature an expanded format with more participating teams than ever before.

For Nigeria, a nation with a proud football heritage and multiple World Cup appearances, the possibility of missing out on the tournament would be a major disappointment. As a result, fans and stakeholders across the country are closely monitoring FIFA’s pending decision.

Dikko’s message, however, was clear: Nigerians should remain patient and optimistic while awaiting FIFA’s final ruling. Until the governing body releases its official verdict, the race for qualification remains open—and Nigeria’s World Cup dream is still very much alive.