The ongoing eligibility dispute between the Nigeria national football team and the DR Congo national football team could take another legal turn if a verdict goes in Nigeria’s favour.
As Softfootball earlier reported in Uncertainty Grows Over Nigeria–Congo World Cup Eligibility Dispute, no official decision has yet been announced by FIFA, despite rumours circulating on 17th February suggesting that a ruling had already been made. Sources have since clarified that those reports were false and that no final decision has been communicated.
However, if FIFA eventually rules against DR Congo, the matter may not end there. The Congolese federation would have the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which serves as the highest legal authority in global sports disputes.
A similar situation is currently unfolding in Malaysia. The Football Association of Malaysia has appealed to CAS to overturn FIFA sanctions involving seven naturalized players accused of using falsified heritage documents. While FIFA imposed 12-month bans and fines, CAS granted a temporary stay of execution, allowing the players to continue playing pending a final verdict expected around 26 February 2026.
That example shows how cases like this can extend beyond FIFA’s initial ruling and move into a prolonged legal battle. If DR Congo chooses to appeal, the Nigeria–Congo dispute could drag on for months, creating further uncertainty around World Cup qualification standings.
For now, all attention remains on FIFA’s pending decision. But whichever way the ruling goes, the possibility of CAS involvement means this case may be far from over.
