National Sports Commission (NSC) chairman Shehu Dikko has said Nigeria has moved past their 2026 World Cup heartbreak, even as the country waits on FIFA to deliver a verdict on its complaint against DR Congo over player eligibility, Footynaija reports.
The Super Eagles were eliminated by DR Congo on penalties in November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, in the final of the African playoff for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
After a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, Nigeria lost 4-3 in the shootout, ending their hopes of reaching the tournament for the first time since 2018.
In December, the NFF filed a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded at least six players who held dual nationalities in violation of Congolese domestic law, which does not recognise dual citizenship.
A ruling from FIFA’s independent disciplinary bodies is expected soon, although the NFF has since dismissed circulating reports claiming a verdict has already been reached.
Dikko on Nigeria’s World Cup petition and the road ahead
Dikko spoke after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he updated the president on what the commission has been doing and its plans for the year.
When the World Cup was mentioned, the former League Management Company chairman said the NFF’s petition is about principle.
“Ourselves and the NFF submitted to FIFA what we feel were the breaches against the rules and regulations. The relevant bodies of FIFA are dealing with it, and we are hoping, any moment, we will hear their decisions. But we are confident we have a good case,” Dikko said.
“World Cup is a closed chapter, but yes, we have a pending legal issue to deal with. We are looking at how do you build for the next competitions, the next AFCON, the next WAFCON,” he added.
If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, the Super Eagles could be reinstated into the intercontinental playoff in Mexico, scheduled for next month.
