ABUJA, 17 February 2026 – The footballing world is currently fixated on a high-stakes legal battle within FIFA’s disciplinary chambers that could fundamentally alter the line-up for the 2026 World Cup. Following a dramatic African qualification playoff last November, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filed a sophisticated challenge against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that moves the conflict from the pitch in Morocco to the rulebooks in Zurich.
At the heart of the “FIFA Nigeria DR Congo ruling” is a complex intersection between international football statutes and Congolese sovereign law. This is a case that could set a global precedent for dual-nationality players.
The Article 10 Constitutional Crisis
The NFF’s petition hinges on a specific provision in the 2005 Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Under Article 10, Congolese nationality is defined as “one and exclusive,” explicitly stating it cannot be held concurrently with any other nationality.
Nigeria’s legal team argues that several key Leopards players, including high-profile stars like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, allegedly retained their European passports (British and French) while representing the DRC. While FIFA typically clears players who possess a valid national passport, the NFF contends that because these players’ Congolese citizenship is technically “void” under their own domestic law, their recruitment violates the legal nexus required for international play.
“FIFA regulations require a permanent nationality,” NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi noted. “Our contention is that if a nation’s own constitution forbids dual citizenship, then a player holding a second passport does not legally hold that ‘permanent’ national status. We believe the clearance process was based on an incomplete representation of the law.”
Global Implications for the 2026 World Cup
If the “FIFA Nigeria DR Congo ruling” falls in favour of the Super Eagles, the impact will be seismic. Nigeria is seeking a boardroom 3–0 victory, which would see them replace the DRC in the Intercontinental Play-offs in Mexico this March.
However, beyond the immediate scoreline, a ruling against the DRC would send shockwaves through national teams across Africa and the Caribbean that rely heavily on the diaspora. It would force FIFA to decide whether domestic nationality laws take precedence over the world governing body’s own eligibility certificates.
Quashing the “Fake News”
The tension reached a boiling point yesterday when a fabricated document circulated online, claiming FIFA had already awarded the win to Nigeria. NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, was forced to intervene, describing the reports as “false and misleading.”
“There is no decision from FIFA at this time,” Olajire clarified. “Any claims that a ruling has been made are premature. We have submitted our documentation and remain optimistic, but we must respect the official process.”
The FECOFA Defence: “Fielded in Good Faith”
The Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA) has remained defiant, maintaining that all players were vetted through FIFA’s “Change of Association” platform. Congolese officials argue that once a player is issued a DRC passport and cleared by FIFA, their eligibility is final under football law, regardless of domestic constitutional debates.
Legal analysts suggest that if FIFA rules against Nigeria, the NFF is prepared to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, potentially throwing the timing of the intercontinental playoffs into chaos.
