World Cup 2026: Man Names Team Likely to Be Favoured by FIFA in Nigeria vs DR Congo Case
- A Nigerian man speaks out ahead of FIFA ruling on the petition filed by Nigeria against DR Congo
- He mentioned that he conducted research and shared a team that has a high chance of playing in the World Cup
- The individual also gave several reasons to back his prediction in a post that has gone viral online
Ahead of the determination of the petition filed by Nigeria against DR Congo over the alleged use of ineligible players in the World Cup playoffs, a man conducted research to predict which team FIFA’s verdict would favor.
The individual stated that his research indicated a team with an 85–90% chance of being favored by FIFA’s ruling.
Source: Twitter
Man says FIFA may favor Nigeria
He made this statement ahead of the decision on the case filed against DR Congo.
FIFA is set to decide the case on Monday, 16 February, according to a report from Punch News.
The individual, @Itata_9, reacted to the situation and explained the research he carried out, which pointed to a team likely to be favored between Nigeria and Congo.
In his research, he discovered that FIFA’s ruling has an 85–95% chance of favoring Nigeria.
He said:
"I did my research as well, and with the combination of factors, what I got was an 85–90% chance of FIFA ruling in favor of Nigeria. I don't think Nigerians realize how strong our case is."
As he shared this, he also posted additional statements on X explaining why Nigeria may be favored.
Source: Twitter
His statement:
"1. Congo's law forbids dual citizenship."
"2. It's not just one ineligible player, it's multiple."
"3. All the players in question are over 21."
"4. Congo likely provided false documents to FIFA."
"5. FIFA wants Nigeria at the World Cup way more than they want Congo."
"Combine all these violations plus Nigeria's influence; DR Congo has a very slim chance of surviving. If you read FIFA's rules and regulations, it’s very clear that they’re in breach. You can have an AI explain in detail for you, and that's where the statistics come from. There's a reason why Congolese fans are shaking right now."
Reactions as man speaks about FIFA decision
@d_mangala7 stressed:
"Rdc has already the invitation. You can’t fight against fifa's rules and validated since a long time. Just go on fifa website and look the sporting nationality. The same players played Afcon. Mbeumo change his sporting ntionality too, for cameroon and many other players."
@iAmPODii added:
"Lemso let it be. If we did our due diligence and they did not then no one should blame us for the outcomes. It is alright for us to reap the reward of due diligence. It is very alright. The date for announcement is almost here. We'd wait and we'd see."
@obani_official stressed:
"It's going to be an injustice to football if Dr Congo is deprived of the playoff ticket, because they truly deserve it and should participate, Nigeria needs to work harder and qualify for 2030."
@ProperttyGreen shared:
"But wait, what happens to Cameroon, they were also victims of DRcongo foul play plus they were the ones who escalated the infraction committed by the DRcongo."
@Thedomyself wrote:
"You don’t have any sources, stop lying to your people. You will not go to the World Cup."
@aaroncikaya said:
"Research this research that and yet both of you still can’t name the so called “ineligible” players who played in that game. Just copy and pasting laws from the FIFA rule book. You charlatans need to stop spreading this nonsense. And don’t worry I’ll send you a few pictures from Mexico when we qualify."
Sports broadcast journalist and Head of Sports at LASU Radio 95.7 FM, Cosmos Chukwuemeka, has shared his opinion following a viral research post made ahead of FIFA’s verdict in the case filed by Nigeria against DR Congo.
Speaking on whether FIFA will make a fair decision on February 16 in the matter between Nigeria and DR Congo, he said:
“The truth is that FIFA will take a decision based on its statutes. It is based on those statutes that FIFA will rule. FIFA’s regulations are very clear."
"The person who made the research mentioned about five areas where FIFA would favour Nigeria. From the first to the fourth point, there may be arguments to consider. But the fifth point, which suggested that FIFA would favour Nigeria because it wants Nigeria at the World Cup, is a fallacy of hasty conclusion. You cannot just conclude like that. That claim is not based on empirical facts, as far as I am concerned."
"Now, regarding the issue of DR Congo allegedly fielding ineligible players or submitting false documentation, especially when viewed alongside the constitution and laws of the Democratic Republic of Congo, FIFA will still base its final decision strictly on its statutes."
"So it is not really about whether FIFA will be fair or not. The decision will be in line with the governing body’s rules. This matter could even go as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Both countries have hinted that, whichever way the verdict goes, the case may end up there. So it may not even end with FIFA. It could go to what is often referred to as the supreme court of sports.”
Mr Chukwuemeka also responded to questions on whether similar situations have occurred in football history.
He explained:
“I cannot recall all the details right now, but I remember a case involving a Guinea player who was captain of his national team. There were eligibility issues because he was also linked to Spain at some point. I think he even scored an important goal at a recent Africa Cup of Nations. Issues like that have come up before in football, where nationality and eligibility became major talking points.”
Read the post below:
In a similar story, Legit.ng reported that FIFA told Nigeria Football Federation the day it will decide if Democratic Republic of the Congo used players who should not have played.
Nigeria challenges DR Congo players’ eligibility
Meanwhile, Legit.ng recently reported that FIFA will decide if Democratic Republic of the Congo used players who were not allowed to play.
Nigeria Football Federation says the players broke the rules, and if FIFA agrees, Nigeria’s Super Eagles may get another chance to play in the World Cup play-offs in Mexico.
Source: Legit.ng
