The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that FIFA rejected its petition to disqualify Congo DR over alleged use of ineligible players. The decision was announced in a media release on Tuesday by the NFF.

Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to Congo DR after a 1-1 draw in extra time during the continental playoff final in Rabat, Morocco. Congo DR will now represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff in Mexico for a chance at one of two remaining 2026 World Cup spots.

The NFF had filed the petition in December, claiming that some Congo DR players were ineligible due to dual nationality issues and irregularities in passport issuance. FIFA’s disciplinary committee reviewed the case but rejected the petition.

In response, NFF Secretary General Mohammed Sanusi stated that the federation has immediately begun the appeal process against FIFA’s decision, just over a week before the intercontinental playoffs begin.

Sanusi assured Nigerians that the federation remains committed to pursuing the appeal and stressed that the NFF is not satisfied with FIFA’s ruling. The appeal aims to ensure that all procedures and player eligibility rules are properly enforced.

The Super Eagles last appeared at the World Cup in 2018 and missed Qatar 2022. A failure to overturn the decision would mean consecutive World Cup absences for the first time since Nigeria’s debut in 1994.