Nigeria’s hopes of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dashed after FIFA reportedly confirmed DR Congo for the inter-confederation play-off tournament.
The development ends Nigeria’s slim chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup through the play-off route.
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The Super Eagles of Nigeria team lost the CAF play-off final to DR Congo on penalties in November 2025, allowing the Central African side to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
Nigeria’s football authority, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), subsequently filed a petition to FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players. The complaint raised concerns over dual nationality and FIFA eligibility regulations.
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However, DR Congo’s inclusion in the play-off tournament leaves no room for Nigeria, whose federation had challenged the outcome of the CAF play-off defeat.
Confirming the line-up for the tournament, FIFA said in a statement:
“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 six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
The play-off tournament is scheduled to begin on March 26.
The reported confirmation has now extinguished the hopes of millions of Nigerian football fans who were waiting to see the Super Eagles represent the country at the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
