Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup Fate In FIFA’s Hands – Dikko

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has said Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup now rest with the world football governing body.

Naija News reports that Dikko stated this on Thursday while speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Nigeria Football Federation had submitted a formal protest to FIFA, alleging that the Democratic Republic of Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off final that ended Nigeria’s qualification hopes.

Reacting to the development, Dikko said the matter remained unresolved at the global body.

Dikko, while addressing newsmen after the meeting, said, “World Cup is a closed chapter for us competitively, but the legal matter is pending.

“The relevant independent bodies within FIFA will decide.”

Despite describing Nigeria’s competitive campaign as concluded, Dikko expressed optimism that the Super Eagles could still be reinstated for the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March, depending on FIFA’s ruling.

Nigeria had lost on penalties to DR Congo in the African play-off final, effectively ending their qualification campaign before the NFF lodged its protest.

If FIFA fails to rule in favour of Nigeria, the NFF still has the option of challenging FIFA’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This independent institution resolves sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation, in accordance with specialised procedural rules.

FIFA is yet to issue an official decision on the petition.