2026 World Cup: Super Eagles, FG reveal mood before crucial FIFA ruling

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed cautious optimism ahead of a crucial verdict expected from FIFA over the eligibility protest involving the Super Eagles and the DR Congo National Team.

The world football body is expected to deliver its ruling following Nigeria’s formal complaint alleging that six DR Congo players who featured in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff were ineligible due to recent changes in international allegiance.

Nigeria lost the playoff final 4-3 on penalties after a tense 120 minutes, with defender Semi Ajayi missing a crucial spot-kick.

Ahead of the ruling, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the commission is working closely with the Nigeria Football Federation on the matter.

“The National Sports Commission under my leadership and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working together on the matter.

“Everything the NFF are doing is in collaboration with the sports commission as our agency.

“As government, we have played our role, it is not that we are sore losers; it is all about the rules.

“I want to believe that if the rules were breached, then we have to present it to the relevant authority that will examine our evidence. At the end of the day we wait for the decision,” he said.

Dikko added that Nigeria had initially moved on from the World Cup disappointment after the defeat to DR Congo in Morocco last November but noted that a favourable ruling could reopen the country’s qualification hopes.

“We have already put the World Cup behind us. If at the end of the day our petition scales through, which I believe it should, then we have another lifeline and we shall proceed from there,” he added.

The case has generated strong reactions among Nigerian football fans, many of whom have taken to social media in anticipation of FIFA’s final decision.