The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says that Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has not issued any ruling on Nigeria’s petition against DR Congo over alleged use of ineligible players in the World Cup playoff.
Muhammed Sanusi, general secretary of the federation, stated this in an interview with African Independent Television (AIT) on Saturday.
Sanusi explained that the federation had earlier written to FIFA alleging that DR Congo misled football authorities by presenting players whose nationality status contradicts the citizenship laws of their country.
The federation insisted that Congolese law forbids dual nationality, yet several members of the Leopards squad reportedly possess both European and Congolese passports.
There have been online reports in recent days claiming that FIFA has dismissed Nigeria’s petition, but Sanusi dismissed such claims as speculative.
He maintained that FIFA has not communicated any decision to the federation regarding the matter.
“Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) wrote to FIFA on the ineligibility of some of the players of DR Congo, and if there is anything, it is not the public that FIFA will reply to but the NFF,” the NFF general secretary said.
“As I am talking to you, I have not seen any letter from FIFA saying they have thrown away our protest.”
DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles 4–3 on penalties to clinch the African playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup inter-confederation qualifiers.
The Congolese side will now face the winners of the contest between Jamaica and New Caledonia for the final slot at the tournament.
Reports indicate that several players in the DR Congo squad recently secured eligibility to represent the country despite questions surrounding their citizenship status.
DR Congo does not officially recognise dual nationality, although children born abroad to Congolese parents may retain dual citizenship until the age of 21, when they are required to renounce one nationality.