FIFA could yet throw country out of World Cup as potential replacement named

Nigeria could yet secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup as they await a key decision from FIFA that could see them replace a key rival.

In just four months the biggest competition in football will kick off across North America, with the United States, Mexico and Canada.

For the first time, 48 teams will compete in the World Cup this year, expanding from the previous 32-team format used through 2022.

Despite this, there are still several major nations that have missed out on making it to the World Cup this year, with only six spots still to be decided, four of which will be given to European teams who win UEFA's play-offs.

Among those currently set to miss the World Cup is Nigeria, but that could be about to change if FIFA decide to remove another team from the competition.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts in June (Image: Getty)

Back in November, DR Congo beat the Super Eagles to secure in an intercontinental qualifier for the finals, currently set to be be played on March 31 against either New Caledonia or Jamaica.

However, following the match the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted a complaint to FIFA in December, claiming that the Leopards had fielded ineligible players.

The claim stated that Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe - who are both former England youth internationals - should not have been able to play as Congolese law does not allow dual citizenship.

Following the claim, FIFA confirmed that the matter was under review, but gave no indication as to when it will be decided, but the NFF is still adamant that the complaint has not been thrown out.

"Any claims that a ruling has been made are false," NFF director of communications Demola Olajire said.

"Fifa has not communicated any verdict to us or to the Congolese federation."

Wan-Bissaka is one of the players that Nigeria claims was inelgible. (Image: Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty Images)

Tuanzebe and Wan-Bissaka later played for DR Congo at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

"The Congolese rule (law) says you cannot have dual nationality but some of their players have European and French passports," NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi stated.

"Our contention is that Fifa was deceived into clearing them."

The Congolese Football Federation has rejected the claim, stating that it was an attempt to "win via the back door".

If FIFA find DR Congo guilty in the case, it is unclear exactly what would happen, but a punishment could include sanctions such as fines or warnings or, in the most serious outcome, it could order a forfeit or award the match to Nigeria.

SPORTbible have reached out to FIFA for comment.