World Cup
EXCLUSIVE! Late Filing, Unpaid Fee Doom Nigeria’s Protest Against DR Congo
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the FIFA World Cup have finally collapsed after it emerged that the country’s protest against the eligibility of some players used by the Democratic Republic of Congo in last year’s African play-off was dismissed on procedural grounds.
The protest followed Nigeria’s defeat to the DR Congo national football team in the decisive African play-off match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played on November 16, 2025, at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. The match ended 1–1 after regulation and extra time before the Congolese side prevailed in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
In the weeks after the match, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) raised concerns about the eligibility of several Congolese players, alleging irregularities in the issuance of passports that enabled them to feature in the encounter.
However, an inside source within FIFA, the world football governing body, has disclosed to Sports Village Square that the Nigerian protest did not meet the procedural requirements for it to be considered by FIFA’s judicial bodies.
According to the source, the NFF’s complaint was received by FIFA on November 28, 2025, nearly two weeks after the match in Rabat.
Under the Regulations Governing the Preliminary Competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, protests regarding player eligibility must follow strict timelines.
“Article 8 of the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition Regulations outlines the strict procedures for filing match protests.”
Article 8 of the regulations stipulates that any protest must first be communicated to the match commissioner within two hours of the completion of the match, and then followed by a detailed written submission within 24 hours.
The article states:
“Protests regarding the eligibility of players selected for matches in the preliminary competition shall be submitted in writing within two hours of the match and followed by a full written report within 24 hours.”
Because Nigeria’s protest was submitted on November 28 for a match played on November 16, it fell well outside the allowable window.
The source further revealed that the mandatory protest fee of 1,000 Swiss francs, which must accompany such submissions, was also not paid. As a result, the case was not formally processed by FIFA’s judicial bodies.
“The appeal that was widely reported was never actually entertained by the FIFA judicial authorities because it did not meet the procedural requirements,” the source explained, adding that the NFF was formally informed of the situation on March 9, 2026.
It took another week before the body made the decision known, indirectly with a claim of appeal of the judgment.
Under FIFA regulations, a protest must not only meet the deadline but must also include clear reasons, supporting evidence, and the relevant regulatory provisions before the Disciplinary Committee can examine the case.
Because the submission failed to satisfy these procedural conditions, FIFA dismissed the complaint without examining the substance of Nigeria’s allegations regarding player eligibility.
Football legal experts note that strict adherence to procedural timelines is a fundamental principle in international football disputes, and many protests have historically been rejected for similar reasons, regardless of the evidence presented.
Had the protest been properly filed and proven that DR Congo fielded ineligible players under FIFA rules, the consequences could have been severe. Under the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the offending team could face a 3–0 forfeiture of the match, along with possible fines or additional disciplinary sanctions.
Instead, the dismissal of the protest effectively confirms that Nigeria will not be among the 48 teams that will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
DR Congo still have a lifeline and could qualify if it wins the playoff match against either New Caledonia or Jamaica on 31 March.
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has begun the process of appealing a ruling by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee that rejected its protest against the Democratic Republic of Congo over the eligibility of some players used in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff.
Nigeria had petitioned FIFA following the playoff match played on November 16, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco, alleging irregularities in the issuance of passports that allowed certain DR Congo players to feature in the encounter.
However, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee dismissed the petition, prompting the Nigerian football governing body to immediately activate the appeal process.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed that the federation had received the ruling but would challenge it through FIFA’s judicial procedures.
“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision,” Sanusi said.
The disputed match was played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat and served as the final of the African playoff stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification pathway.
Both teams were level at 1–1 after regulation time and extra time before the Congolese side prevailed in a sudden-death penalty shootout to secure victory.
Nigeria’s protest was based on what the NFF described as perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that enabled a number of DR Congo players to qualify for the playoff.
With the initial complaint now dismissed by FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, the NFF will seek a review of the case through the appeal process in an effort to overturn the ruling.
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By Kunle Solaja.
As controversy surrounds DR Congo’s participation in the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s coach, Sébastien Desabre, has declared that the entire nation will “come to a standstill” when the Leopards play their decisive qualification match later this month.
Nigeria have lodged a protest challenging the eligibility of the Central African side following their dramatic play-off clash, a dispute that could yet influence the outcome of the qualification race for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Despite the off-field uncertainty, Desabre insists his team remain focused on securing their place at the global showpiece.
Speaking in an interview published on FIFA’s official website ahead of the play-off final in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 31, the French tactician said his side were fully motivated to complete a long and demanding qualifying journey.
“We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective,” Desabre said. “This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It’s definitely been a long road to get here, and we’ve worked our way through every stage.”
The Leopards are chasing a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, having made their only appearance in 1974 when the country was still known as Zaire.
DR Congo players are looking forward to a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.
To secure qualification, DR Congo must defeat either Jamaica or New Caledonia in the play-off final, with the winner earning one of the last tickets to the 2026 tournament.
Desabre acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion but urged his players to remain composed despite the historic opportunity.
“We all want to go to the World Cup, but we can’t let our emotions get the better of us,” he said. “What matters is playing well, staying grounded and giving everything on the pitch to make Congo proud.”
The coach highlighted the unity within the squad as one of the team’s key strengths.
“The players share a strong bond on and off the pitch. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Our forwards track back, our defenders push forward – we fight together like soldiers going into battle for our country.”
Desabre also pointed to the team’s defensive discipline during qualifying, having conceded just once in their last four matches, while maintaining attacking efficiency.
“We have talented players at top clubs, and everyone has bought into the project we’ve been building,” he added.
The DR Congo coach referenced the earlier play-off clash with Nigeria – a tense encounter decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw – as the type of performance his side must replicate in the final.
“We need to deliver the kind of performance we produced against Nigeria,” he said.
With qualification within touching distance, Desabre believes the match could become a defining moment for football in the Central African nation.
“The Congolese are passionate about football, and some people are going through difficult times,” he said. “I know the whole nation will come to a standstill on 31 March so they can watch the match. We hope we can give our fans the lift they deserve.”
For Desabre, guiding DR Congo to the World Cup would represent the culmination of more than three years of rebuilding.
“When I took the job, the team had hit a rough patch, but I believed in them from the start,” he said. “Now we are within touching distance of our goal.”
While the Leopards prepare for a warm-up match against Bermuda before travelling to Mexico, attention in African football circles remains divided between the upcoming play-off final and Nigeria’s protest, which questions whether DR Congo were eligible to take part in the decisive stage of the qualification process.
The outcome of that dispute could ultimately determine whether the Leopards’ dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time in more than half a century becomes a reality.
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World Cup
BREAKING! Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US: Iran federation chief
Iran’s football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian football president Mehdi Taj said on Monday.
Iran’s sports minister said last week it was not possible for the Iranian players to participate in the tournament after the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran were welcome to participate but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the U.S. “for their own life and safety”.
“When (U.S. President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
Iran has qualified for the 48-team tournament to be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 and are scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle
-Reuters
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