The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has overturned DR Congo’s playoff victory over Nigeria and awarded the Super Eagles qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup following an eligibility breach.
In a detailed ruling issued under the regulations governing the 2026 World Cup qualification process, FIFA upheld a protest filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA).
Nigeria challenged the outcome of the Best Losers Playoff match, which DR Congo had originally won 2–1. The NFF alleged that a DR Congo player who featured in the match and scored had not completed the required nationality switch process before taking part in the fixture.
Following a review of match reports, player registration documents and official correspondence between FECOFA and FIFA’s Players’ Status Department, the Committee found that although the player had initiated a change of association request, formal written approval had not been granted prior to the match.
Under Article 9 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Statutes, a player may only represent a new association after FIFA has approved the switch. Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code stipulates that a team fielding an ineligible player forfeits the match.
Match Forfeited, Nigeria Advances
Consequently, FIFA ruled that the player was ineligible at the time of the playoff and declared the match forfeited. The official result has been recorded as:
DR Congo 0–3 Nigeria
Nigeria is therefore declared winner of the playoff round and awarded qualification to represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While DR Congo has been disqualified from the playoff pathway, FECOFA retains the right to appeal the decision before the FIFA Appeals Committee.
In its observations, the Disciplinary Committee stressed that strict compliance with nationality switch procedures is essential to protect the integrity of international competition, particularly in high-stakes fixtures that determine World Cup qualification.
The ruling brings closure to one of the most closely watched eligibility disputes in the African qualification campaign.
