Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
FIFA has dismissed Nigeria’s protest challenging the eligibility of a Democratic Republic of Congo player, with the Nigeria Football Federation reportedly sending its petition to the wrong email address among the procedural issues cited in rejecting the case.
The dispute followed Nigeria’s 4–3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo after a 1–1 draw in the African play-off final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, on November 16, 2025.
The NFF subsequently petitioned FIFA, questioning the eligibility of several DR Congo players and alleging irregularities surrounding their nationality and passport documentation. FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee later rejected the petition, prompting the NFF to announce an appeal in March 2026.
Fresh details reported on Thursday, October 8, 2026, indicate that FIFA cited procedural grounds in dismissing Nigeria’s complaint. One of the grounds was reportedly that the NFF sent its petition to the office of the FIFA General Secretary rather than through the appropriate legal portal.
The National Sports Commission criticised that explanation, describing it as a procedural issue that should not have prevented consideration of the substance of Nigeria’s complaint.
The controversy has intensified following reports that FIFA officials had themselves identified concerns about the international eligibility of DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.
According to investigations reported by The New York Times and Le Monde, FIFA legal officials found that Mpasi, who had represented France at youth level, had not completed the required process to switch his international allegiance to DR Congo.
Mpasi played in the decisive World Cup play-off against Nigeria, which DR Congo won on penalties.
Despite the reported concerns, DR Congo was allowed to continue in the qualification process and subsequently secured a place at the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has maintained that its procedures were properly followed and has disputed claims that there were eligibility violations affecting DR Congo’s subsequent matches.
The NFF’s original complaint had also challenged the eligibility of other DR Congo players over alleged passport and nationality irregularities. The federation said in March that it would pursue an appeal after rejecting the Disciplinary Committee’s decision.
The latest revelations have renewed debate in Nigeria over the circumstances surrounding the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while FIFA faces questions over how the eligibility complaint was handled.
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