Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup appear to have ended after FIFA confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, with DR Congo named as Africa’s representative.
In an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA outlined the tournament format and listed the six countries that will compete for the remaining slots. DR Congo’s inclusion effectively rules out Nigeria, whose football authorities had earlier challenged the outcome of their CAF play-off clash in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had filed a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive encounter. The match ended 1–1 in regulation time before Nigeria lost on penalties.
Through the petition, the NFF sought to have the result overturned and the Super Eagles reinstated into the inter-continental play-off tournament.
However, FIFA’s latest communication makes no reference to any amendment to the qualified teams, indicating that the original result will stand and confirming Nigeria’s elimination from the race for the 2026 World Cup.
According to FIFA, the play-off tournament will feature six teams competing for the final two places at the tournament.
“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 statement said.
The world football governing body added that the participating teams have now been confirmed as Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.