Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a potential lifeline following a formal petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenging DR Congo’s participation in the African qualifiers.

The NFF is questioning the eligibility of several Congolese players who featured in the play-off matches that led to Nigeria’s elimination, alleging that DR Congo may have violated player nationality rules.

Should FIFA uphold the petition, the outcome of the play-off could be overturned, potentially reopening a qualification pathway for the Super Eagles.

DR Congo eliminated Nigeria in November after a tense play-off encounter in Morocco that ended 4–3 on penalties. The defeat effectively ended Nigeria’s bid for a place in the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Following that victory, DR Congo progressed directly to the final of the intercontinental play-off tournament, where they are expected to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica. That position, however, is now under scrutiny.

According to the NFF, between six and nine DR Congo players who featured in the decisive matches may not have fully complied with legal requirements before switching their national allegiance.

While the players reportedly possessed valid DR Congo passports and were cleared under FIFA regulations, the federation argues that they may have failed to formally renounce their previous nationalities — a critical issue given that DR Congo’s constitution does not recognise dual citizenship.

Confirming the development, a senior NFF official said the federation had taken all necessary steps to pursue the matter legally.

“NFF has done the needful,” the official said. “Their constitution does not allow dual citizenship, and about six to nine players had that status during the play-off. That is the loophole we are exploring.”

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also confirmed that the federation has officially challenged the process that led to the players’ clearance.

“We’re waiting. The Congolese rules say you cannot have dual citizenship,” Sanusi said. “Some of the players have European passports — French, Dutch, and others. The rules are clear, and we have submitted our petition.”

Sanusi explained that while FIFA cleared the players based on documentation provided, the federation believes the global football body may have been misled.

“FIFA acts based on submissions. It is not their role to enforce Congo’s domestic laws,” he said. “Our concern is that the process was fraudulent.”

The unfolding situation has reignited optimism among Nigerian football fans. Nigeria has not featured at the World Cup since 2018 and narrowly missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Missing the 2026 edition would have marked consecutive absences for Africa’s most populous nation.

For DR Congo, the controversy threatens to overshadow what could be a historic return to the World Cup, having last appeared in 1974 under the name Zaire.

As FIFA reviews the petition, the Super Eagles’ World Cup dream — once considered over — may yet be revived.