The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has expressed optimism that Nigeria could still secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite recent developments that appeared to favour the DR Congo national football team.
Earlier this week, concerns grew among Nigerian football supporters after FIFA released details of the upcoming intercontinental playoff tournament and listed DR Congo among the six nations set to compete for the final two qualification spots at the expanded World Cup.
The announcement led many observers to believe that FIFA had already dismissed Nigeria’s protest regarding the match that eliminated the Nigeria national football team from the qualification race.
However, Dikko clarified that Nigeria has not yet received any official ruling from FIFA and insisted that the country’s hopes remain alive.
“As far as we know, FIFA is yet to give its verdict,” Dikko said. “We are closely monitoring the situation.”
He explained that the inclusion of DR Congo in the provisional playoff lineup does not necessarily mean that Nigeria’s complaint has been rejected.
According to him, FIFA usually communicates its decisions directly to all parties involved before making them public.
“The fact that DR Congo appears among the teams listed for the playoffs does not automatically mean Nigeria’s petition has been dismissed,” Dikko added. “We are hopeful that the decision will favour Nigeria and allow the Super Eagles to compete in the playoff.”
Nigeria originally lost their place in the qualification race in November after a tense playoff defeat to DR Congo, which was decided via penalties.
Following the match, the Nigeria Football Federation filed an official complaint with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the encounter.
If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, the result of that match could be overturned, potentially removing DR Congo from the playoff path and giving Nigeria another opportunity to fight for a place at the global tournament.
Meanwhile, FIFA has confirmed that the intercontinental playoff tournament will feature six teams: Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
The competition will take place between March 26 and March 31 in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, with the teams battling for the final two qualification slots at the 2026 World Cup.
Currently, DR Congo are scheduled to face the winner of the match between Jamaica and New Caledonia for a place at the tournament. However, a ruling in Nigeria’s favour could change the lineup entirely.
In the meantime, the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged a four-nation friendly tournament for the Super Eagles during the March international window. Nigeria are expected to face Iran national football team on March 27 and the Jordan national football team on March 31 in Amman.
