World football governing body, FIFA, has confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament for the 2026 World Cup, naming Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative.
The announcement effectively ends Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the global showpiece, following months of uncertainty surrounding the outcome of their play-off clash.
In an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA outlined the format of the tournament and listed the six participating nations. DR Congo’s inclusion leaves no opening for Nigeria, whose football authorities had challenged the result of their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation had lodged a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie. The encounter ended 1–1 before proceeding to a penalty shootout, where Nigeria lost.
The federation’s appeal sought to overturn the result and secure a slot for the Super Eagles in the inter-confederation play-offs. However, FIFA’s latest confirmation indicates that the protest did not alter the final standings.
In a statement confirming the tournament details, 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 global 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 inter-confederation play-off tournament is scheduled to commence on March 26, with the participating teams battling for the last two tickets to the expanded 2026 World Cup.
