FIFA is notify to convey a truly valuable ruling on Monday, February 16, relating to Nigeria’s eligibility negate in opposition to DR Congo, with the Huge Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup striking within the balance.
The Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF) filed the formal criticism on December 15, 2025, alleging that six DR Congo avid gamers who featured within the November 2025 African playoff final were ineligible due to most modern switches in international allegiance.
The match resulted in heartbreak for Nigeria, because the Huge Eagles lost 4–3 on penalties after a traumatic hit upon, eliminating them from order qualification and ending their advertising and marketing and marketing campaign at that stage.
NFF Common Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has voiced strong confidence within the federation’s case. “We now respect a acceptable case. We fabricate now not accomplishing into what would possibly be an exercise in futility. As a long way as we’re concerned, now we respect a strong case, and we’re looking out forward to FIFA’s decision on the complaints now we respect lodged.”
Huge Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi echoed the optimism, telling newshounds: “We’re nonetheless waiting; confidently, we are able to experience to the World Cup.”
Might per chance also nonetheless FIFA rule in Nigeria’s favour, the Huge Eagles would possibly be reinstated and are accessible in to the six-crew Intercontinental Play-Off tournament scheduled for March in Mexico. A top conclude in that playoff would actual one of the last African slots on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes now leisure entirely on the final consequence of Monday’s high-stakes FIFA assembly, with millions of fans and the general Nigerian football team looking out forward to the decision that could well rewrite the Huge Eagles’ World Cup story.
