iDeemlawfulTension has escalated after FIFA published its 2025 CAS & Football Annual Report without any reference to Nigeria’s pending petition against the DR Congo national team.
The report, released this week, makes no mention of the complaint submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria filed its protest on December 15, 2025, after the Super Eagles were eliminated following a 4–3 penalty shootout loss in Rabat last November.
The defeat ended Nigeria’s pathway to the intercontinental play-offs for the tournament set to be hosted across North America.
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There were expectations of a ruling by mid-February, especially following reports of an Ethics Committee meeting. However, the newly issued report contains no reference to the Nigeria–DR Congo matter and offers no update on its status.
Instead, the document highlights wider arbitration patterns, stating that 77 per cent of cases registered with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2025 were football-related, without providing timelines for specific pending cases.
The absence of clarity has extended uncertainty among fans and stakeholders, as Nigeria’s prospects of a possible return to the 2026 World Cup spotlight depend on the resolution of the complaint.
Addressing State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with Bola Ahmed Tinubu on February 19, 2026, Chairman of the National Sports Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko confirmed that no decision had been communicated.
He refuted claims that a verdict had already been delivered, emphasizing that no official notification had been received 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,” Dikko said.
With no timeline given for a decision, Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup fate remains unsettled.