Nigeria’s protest dismissed as FIFA confirms DR Congo for 2026 World Cup play-off

Nigeria’s aspiration of clinching a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has effectively come to an end after FIFA ratified the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the forthcoming inter-confederation play-off competition.

In an official accreditation notice circulated to journalists covering the tournament, FIFA detailed the competition structure and unveiled the six countries that will battle for the final two berths at the expanded global showpiece.
Nigeria was not included in the announcement, following a formal complaint lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation after the team’s defeat to DR Congo in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The NFF had contested the outcome, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive encounter, which finished 1-1 before the Leopards triumphed via a penalty shootout.
Nigeria’s football authorities sought a reversal of the result and reinstatement into the inter-confederation play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest communication contained no indication of any revision to the list of qualified teams, signalling that the initial decision remains unchanged.
In its statement, FIFA said: “The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament will see six teams compete 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 named Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname as the participating nations.
Tournament format and fixtures
The play-off matches are scheduled to hold from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.
FIFA explained that the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking — Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname — will contest the bracket semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the two highest-ranked sides — DR Congo and Iraq — will progress straight to the final round.
This arrangement leaves DR Congo just one victory away from qualification, as the African side will meet the winner of the Jamaica versus New Caledonia clash for a place at the 2026 finals.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will mark the first edition of the tournament expanded to 48 teams.
For Nigeria, FIFA’s confirmation ends months of speculation. Although no separate public verdict was issued specifically on the NFF’s protest, the unchanged roster of qualified teams clearly indicates that the appeal did not succeed.