Fresh anxiety is gripping Nigerian football after FIFA released its 2025 CAS and Football Annual Report without any reference to Nigeria’s pending petition against DR Congo.
For many Super Eagles supporters, the omission was more than a routine oversight. It was a reminder that Nigeria’s legal battle over the 2026 World Cup play off defeat remains unresolved, with no clear timeline for a verdict.
The Case Nigeria Is Waiting On
The Nigeria Football Federation lodged a formal protest on December 15, 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play off final for the 2026 World Cup.
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That match, played in Rabat last November, ended in heartbreak for Nigeria. After a tense contest, the Super Eagles were eliminated 4–3 on penalties, effectively shutting the door on their path to the intercontinental play offs in North America.
The petition raised hopes that a legal review could reopen the conversation. But more than two months later, clarity remains elusive.
FIFA Report Deepens the Silence
When FIFA published its 2025 CAS and Football Annual Report, many expected some update on the Nigeria DR Congo matter.
Instead, the report focused on broader arbitration trends, noting that 77 percent of cases registered with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2025 were football related. There was no direct mention of Nigeria’s complaint.
For fans hoping for movement, the silence only amplified concern.
Government Confirms No Verdict Yet
Adding to the uncertainty, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, confirmed on February 19, 2026, that no final verdict had been communicated to Nigeria.
Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dikko dismissed reports suggesting that a decision had already been reached.
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He maintained that Nigeria had received no official communication from FIFA.
“World Cup is a closed chapter for us competitively, but the legal matter is pending. The relevant independent bodies within FIFA will decide,” he said.
Hope, But No Timeline
Dikko expressed confidence in Nigeria’s position but acknowledged that the outcome now rests entirely with FIFA’s independent judicial bodies.
That means the fate of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup ambitions, at least from a legal standpoint, remains in limbo.
For now, the Super Eagles’ elimination stands. Whether it stays that way depends on a decision that has yet to arrive — and one that FIFA’s latest report did not even acknowledge.
