World football governing body, FIFA, has officially begun the final 100-day countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup but has remained silent on the pending disciplinary case involving Nigeria and DR Congo.
In a post shared on its official 𝕏 account on Tuesday, FIFA announced: “The biggest-ever @FIFAWorldCup is just 100 days away! 48 teams. 104 games. 11 June to 19 July.”
The organisation added that June 11, 2026, will signal “the opening scene to the greatest show in the world,” with Mexico scheduled to take on South Africa in the tournament’s opening match.
However, despite the celebratory tone, there was no reference to Nigeria’s protest following its controversial elimination from the qualifiers.
The controversy dates back to November 2025 when Nigeria’s Super Eagles were defeated on penalties by DR Congo in the African playoff final, securing the Congolese team a place in the intercontinental playoffs.
In December, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) formally petitioned FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the qualifying series.
The NFF claimed that former England youth internationals Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe represented DR Congo despite alleged restrictions under Congolese nationality laws and potential breaches of FIFA’s eligibility rules.
More than two months later, with DR Congo set to meet either Jamaica or New Caledonia in the intercontinental playoffs later this month, FIFA has yet to announce a decision, although it previously confirmed that the matter was under review.
The continued silence has sparked concern among Nigerian football stakeholders and fans, who argue that the lingering uncertainty is unsettling as preparations intensify for the expanded 2026 World Cup.