The ruling, reported by veteran journalist Kunle Solaja, was based on procedural failures rather than the substance of the complaint. Nigeria had alleged irregularities in passport issuance involving several DR Congo players who featured in the match.
The encounter, played in Rabat, Morocco on November 16, 2025, ended 1-1 after extra time, with DR Congo advancing 4-3 on penalties.
According to sources cited in the report, the NFF did not comply with Article 8 of the regulations governing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The rules require protests over player eligibility to be lodged within two hours of the match’s conclusion, followed by a detailed submission within 24 hours.
However, the NFF filed its complaint on November 28—nearly two weeks after the fixture—well outside the stipulated deadline. In addition, the mandatory protest fee of 1,000 Swiss francs was not paid, rendering the submission invalid.
As a result, FIFA’s judicial bodies did not formally consider the case. The NFF was notified of the decision on March 9, 2026, though confirmation only became public days later.
With the protest dismissed, DR Congo’s qualification for the expanded 2026 tournament—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—remains intact, bringing Nigeria’s campaign to an official close.