Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively ended after FIFA confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative.
In an accreditation notice circulated to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA detailed the tournament format and listed the six participating nations. DR Congo’s inclusion leaves no room for Nigeria, whose football federation had challenged their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation lodged 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 the Super Eagles’ place in the inter-continental play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest communication does not refer to any changes to the qualified teams, signaling that the original result will stand and confirming Nigeria’s elimination.
The Nigeria Football Federation had filed a formal petition alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive play-off, which Nigeria lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The protest sought to overturn the result and reinstate the Super Eagles into the inter-continental play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest communication does not refer to any amendment to the qualified teams, strongly indicating that the result stands.
In its statement, FIFA confirmed, “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 world football 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.”
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