FIFA World Cup Playoffs: NFF Appeals FIFA’s Decision on Petition Against DR Congo

The Nigeria Football Federation said has already commenced the process of appealing the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which rejected its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo on the issue of eligibility of some players used by that country in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoff match against Nigeria in Rabat, Morocco on 16th November 2025.
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who revealed this, in a statement yesterday, said the federation was not satisfied with the decision of the world football governing body on the matter.
“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision,” said Dr Sanusi.
The NFF had presented a petition to world football-governing body, FIFA days after the said match, based on perceived fraud in the issuance of passports that qualified a number of players of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Play-offs.
The match, played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, was the Final of the African Play-offs. The Democratic Republic of Congo won in a sudden-death penalty shootout, after both teams were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra time.