Sports
BREAKING: FIFA confirms DR Congo for play-off, ends Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes
FIFA has confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament ahead of the 2026 World Cup, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative, a development that effectively ends Nigeria’s qualification hopes.
In an accreditation notice issued to journalists, FIFA outlined the tournament structure and unveiled the six participating nations. DR Congo’s inclusion shuts the door on Nigeria national football team, whose football authorities had challenged the outcome of their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had filed a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1–1 before Nigeria lost on penalties. The appeal sought to overturn the result and secure Nigeria’s place in the inter-continental play-offs.
However, FIFA’s confirmation of DR Congo as Africa’s representative indicates that the protest did not succeed.
In a statement, the global football body said:
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament will see six teams fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 Host Cities.
“All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
The play-off tournament is scheduled to commence on March 26
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