NFF Rejects Claims that Super Eagles' World Cup Ambitions Are Over, Awaiting FIFA Communication

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has countered reports that suggested the national football team’s hopes of qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup had ended. The federation emphasized that FIFA has yet to release any official statements regarding the situation.

Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Director of Communications, expressed the federation's current stance of being in a state of proactive anticipation.

"The NFF has not received any formal communication from FIFA at all. Information cannot be shared with the media without prior involvement of the relevant federations," Olajire stated.

He added, "Indeed, our waiting period continues as we still expect an official word from FIFA. Those sharing outdated quotes may continue to do so."

This clarification follows reports indicating that FIFA had confirmed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as Africa's representative in the inter-confederation playoff, which led to headlines suggesting that Nigeria's World Cup aspirations were effectively finished.

These reports cited a FIFA statement, declaring, "All six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers."

However, this statement was issued by FIFA on November 18, 2025, prior to the latest reports and referred to the conclusion of the qualification process well before Nigeria lodged its complaint. It did not signify any fresh ruling regarding the NFF's eligibility grievances.

It is important to note that the NFF filed a petition with FIFA on December 15, 2025, contesting the eligibility of certain players, asserting that six Congolese athletes had switched their national allegiances and were thus ineligible during the match.

The petition was initiated following a significant setback in Nigeria's qualification campaign in November 2025, when the team suffered a 4–3 defeat in a penalty shootout against DR Congo in the decisive African playoff.

While FIFA has acknowledged that the issue remains under review, it has not provided a timeline for when a definitive decision will be reached. This uncertainty has led to increasing frustration among Nigerian supporters, as the inter-confederation playoffs draw near.