QWith just 100 days left before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, world football’s governing body, FIFA, has officially begun the countdown to the tournament while remaining silent on the pending disciplinary decision involving Nigeria national football team and DR Congo national football team.

The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be the largest edition in the competition’s history.

The tournament will feature 48 national teams competing in 104 matches across multiple host cities.

In a post shared on its official social media channels, FIFA highlighted the significance of the milestone, describing the upcoming tournament as the “biggest-ever World Cup.”

The opening match is expected to set the stage for what the governing body calls “the greatest show in football.”

Despite the celebratory announcement, FIFA provided no update on Nigeria’s complaint against DR Congo regarding the African qualifying playoffs for the tournament.

Nigeria’s Complaint Over Player Eligibility

The dispute stems from Nigeria’s loss to DR Congo in the African playoff final in November 2025.

The match ended in a penalty shootout victory for DR Congo, securing their place in the intercontinental playoff round.

Following the defeat, the Nigeria Football Federation submitted a formal petition to FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive match.

The NFF specifically questioned the eligibility of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both former England youth internationals who were reportedly selected for DR Congo during the qualifiers.

According to the Nigerian football authorities, Congolese nationality laws do not permit dual citizenship, raising concerns about whether the players met both national and FIFA eligibility requirements.

Awaiting FIFA’s Decision

More than two months after the complaint was filed, FIFA has yet to announce its verdict.

The governing body previously confirmed that the case was under review but has not provided a timeline for the final decision.

The delay has sparked frustration among Nigerian football stakeholders and fans, who believe the outcome could significantly impact the country’s chances of returning to the World Cup qualification pathway.

If FIFA rules in Nigeria’s favour, DR Congo could face disqualification, potentially reopening a route for Nigeria in the qualification process ahead of the 2026 tournament.