JUST IN: FIFA ENDS NIGERIA’S WORLD CUP HOPES, CONFIRMS DR CONGO FOR 2026 PLAY-OFFS

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By: Sefiu Ajape

FIFA on Wednesday confirmed the final lineup for the inter-confederation playoff tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative.

The decision by the world football governing body has effectively ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA outlined the tournament format and listed the six participating countries.

DR Congo’s inclusion leaves no opening for Nigeria, whose football federation had contested the outcome of their defeat in the CAF playoffs in November 2025.

The Nigeria Football Federation submitted a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players in the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before Nigeria lost on penalties.

The appeal aimed to overturn the result and secure the Super Eagles’ place in the intercontinental playoffs.

Confirming the development in a statement, FIFA 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 playoff tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26.