World Cup Playoffs: NFF Set to Appeal FIFA Decision on Petition Against DR Congo
- The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that FIFA has responded to the petition of DR Congo's ineligible players
- The NFF has vowed to challenge the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Monday, March 17.
- DR Congo is set for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff in Mexico from March 27 to 31
The Nigeria Football Federation lost its petition against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday, March 17.
The NFF had submitted a strongly worded complaint to FIFA, alleging that the Leopards fielded eight ineligible players during the 2026 World Cup playoffs in Morocco.
The three-time AFCON winners were beaten 4-3 on penalties by DR Congo in the final after a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium on November 16.
Source: Getty Images
NFF replies FIFA
The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed it has begun the process of appealing FIFA’s decision.
The NFF maintains that the Democratic Republic of the Congo fielded ineligible players during the African playoffs, which secured their place in the intercontinental playoffs later this month in Mexico.
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the football body is dissatisfied with the outcome of the petition.
Sanusi assured Nigerians that the federation will proceed with the appeal and await a final verdict before the intercontinental playoffs.
“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,” per NFF.
The NFF had presented a petition to world football-governing body, FIFA days after the said match, based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the playoffs, per Daily Sports.
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Controversy erupts as FIFA fines Nigeria and DR Congo over 2026 World Cup playoff incidents
Source: Getty Images
DR Congo drops ineligible players
The Democratic Republic of Congo national football team has dropped two players deemed ineligible ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoffs scheduled to take place in Mexico later this month.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha of Celtic and Mario Stroeykens of Anderlecht will not be part of DR Congo’s squad for the intercontinental playoffs.
Both players were born in Belgium before switching their international allegiance to the Central African country during the African playoff phase.
Leopards head coach Sébastien Desabre named his 26-man squad on Wednesday, March 11, as the team prepares to secure a second appearance at the World Cup.
Desabre recalled several players who helped DR Congo defeat Nigeria during the African playoff final last November.
Notable names in the squad include captain Chancel Mbemba, Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy.
FIFA sanctions DR Congo and Nigeria
Legit.ng earlier reported that the world football governing body, FIFA, has sanctioned both the Democratic Republic of Congo Football Association and the Nigeria Football Federation following incidents during their 2026 World Cup playoff clash.
According to FIFA’s disciplinary committee, both football associations were found guilty of separate offences during the playoff match played on November 16, 2025.
Source: Legit.ng
