Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Qualification Hopes Revive as NFF Petitions FIFA Over DR Congo’s Alleged Player Eligibility Violations

Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been reignited following a formal petition by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenging DR Congo’s use of allegedly ineligible players during the African play-offs. The NFF claims that up to nine Congolese players who featured in the penalty shootout victory over Nigeria may have violated DR Congo’s constitutional ban on dual citizenship, despite being cleared by FIFA. If FIFA upholds the petition, the play-off result could be overturned, reopening a pathway for the Super Eagles to return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition and facing possible back-to-back absences.