The Nigeria Football Federation has dismissed widespread reports that Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes are over, insisting that FIFA has not issued any formal communication to the federation regarding the pending eligibility dispute involving DR Congo, and that quotes being circulated by multiple media outlets were lifted from a November 2025 FIFA publication rather than any fresh ruling.

NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire told PUNCH Sports Extra on Wednesday that the federation remained in a state of active anticipation.

“The NFF have not received any formal communication from FIFA whatsoever. No information can be shared with journalists without first coming to the federations involved.

“Yes, our wait is ongoing. We are still expecting formal communication from FIFA. Let those posting the old quotes continue posting them,” Olajire said.

The clarification came after several media outlets ran breaking news reports claiming FIFA had confirmed DR Congo as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-off tournament, with headlines declaring Nigeria’s World Cup dream effectively over.

The reports leaned heavily on a FIFA statement that read, “All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”

However, that statement was published by FIFA on November 18, 2025 — more than three months before Wednesday’s reports — and referred to the completion of the qualification process before Nigeria’s protest was even filed. It did not represent any new ruling on the NFF’s eligibility complaint.

The dispute traces back to November 2025, when DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the CAF play-off final to claim Africa’s sole berth in the inter-confederation play-offs. The NFF filed a formal protest in December, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players, including former England youth internationals Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, in violation of Congolese law, which prohibits dual citizenship, as well as FIFA eligibility rules.

NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi had been explicit about the federation’s position.

“The Congolese rule says you cannot have dual nationality, but some of their players have European and French passports. Our contention is that FIFA was deceived into clearing them,” Sanusi said.

The Congolese Football Federation, for its part, dismissed the protest as an attempt to “win via the back door.”

FIFA confirmed it was reviewing the matter but has provided no timeline for a verdict. The delay has drawn mounting frustration in Nigeria, with the inter-confederation play-offs now just weeks away.

The tournament is scheduled to run from March 26 to 31 in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico, where DR Congo are slated to face either Jamaica or New Caledonia. Officials from Jamaica’s football federation have reportedly warned that a late ruling could disrupt their travel and tactical preparations, leaving both nations in operational limbo.

The stakes for Nigeria could hardly be higher. The Super Eagles are already staring down the prospect of missing a second consecutive World Cup, having failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar. Nigeria, bronze medallists at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, boast one of the continent’s most star-studded squads, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi among those who would feature at the global tournament.

African football expert Mamadou Gaye urged Nigerian fans to remain patient, drawing on a precedent involving South Africa. “We should wait for FIFA to make the decision. Remember that Bafana Bafana had points taken away right at the last minute. Nigeria should remain calm and prepared,” Gaye said on SuperSport’s Soccer Africa programme.

For now, the NFF’s message is unambiguous — no verdict has been delivered, the protest remains live, and Nigeria’s wait goes on.