A football analyst, Mukhtar, has cautioned that even if FIFA rules in favour of Nigeria in the ongoing eligibility dispute, it would not automatically secure a place for the Super Eagles at the 2026 World Cup.
According to him, reinstatement into the qualification pathway would only reopen the door, not guarantee passage to the finals.
Nigeria had earlier lost out in the African play-off final, and any favourable ruling could see the team restored to the intercontinental play-off stage. However, Mukhtar stressed that the Eagles would still have to win their matches to book a ticket to the tournament.
“A Potentially Historic Decision”
Mukhtar described the pending FIFA verdict as one that could have far-reaching implications.
“So this could be a historical decision, a very important one that could reshape Africa qualifiers and could be a landmark ruling that could go on to decide how countries behave in this instance. There are a lot of implications and scenarios,” he said.
He noted that beyond Nigeria’s immediate interests, the ruling could set a precedent regarding player eligibility switches and compliance with international regulations.
Road Still Tough
Even if reinstated, Nigeria would likely face strong opposition in the six-nation intercontinental play-off. The 2026 World Cup — to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — features expanded slots, but competition remains intense.
For now, the Super Eagles and their supporters await FIFA’s final decision, aware that reinstatement would only be the first step in what could still be a challenging road to qualification.
