The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says FIFA has rejected its petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) over claims that the team fielded ineligible players during the 2025 World Cup playoffs.

In a statement on Tuesday, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the federation is “not satisfied with the decision” and has already begun the appeal process.

“We have received the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on our petition, but we are not satisfied with the decision, which rejected our petition. I want to assure Nigerians that the NFF has immediately commenced the process of appealing the decision,” Sanusi said.

DR Congo defeated the Super Eagles on penalties to claim Africa’s sole ticket for the interconfederational playoffs for the World Cup.

The petition, filed by the NFF in December, alleged that several DR Congo players had been cleared for national duty despite violating the country’s citizenship laws, and that these players participated in the African playoffs final against Nigeria.

The FIFA ruling ends months of waiting, but NFF now has 10 days to file an appeal. Should the federation remain unsatisfied with the outcome of the appeal, the case can be escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The interconfederational playoffs are scheduled for March 26–31, with DR Congo set to face the winner of the Jamaica-New Caledonia clash in the final of their bracket. The victor will secure one of the last World Cup spots.