Football governing body, FIFA on Wednesday confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative and effectively ending Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Top Society reports that the inclusion of DR Congo in the six participating nations leaves no room for Nigeria, whose football federation had challenged the result of their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 and went to penalties, where Nigeria lost. The appeal sought to overturn the result and secure the Super Eagles’ place in the inter-continental play-offs.
In an accreditation notice circulated to journalists on Wednesday ahead of the competition, FIFA detailed the tournament format without referencing any amendment to the qualified teams – a strong indicating that the original result will stand and confirming Nigeria’s elimination.
In its 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.”
The governing body added, “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 tourney gets underway on Thursday, March 26, with New Caledonia taking on Jamaica, while Bolivia faces Suriname.
