FIFA has confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative and extinguishing Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an accreditation notice to journalists, the world football body outlined the tournament format and listed the six participating nations, including DR Congo national football team as CAF’s flag bearer.
The decision effectively shuts the door on Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), which had contested Nigeria’s defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025. The NFF filed a protest alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players in the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before Nigeria lost on penalties. The appeal sought to overturn the outcome and secure the Nigeria national football team a place in the inter-confederation play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest communication made no reference to any alteration in the list of qualified teams, indicating that the original result stands and confirming Nigeria’s elimination.
In its statement, 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.”
It added, “All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
The play-offs will commence on Thursday, March 26, with New Caledonia facing Jamaica and Bolivia taking on Suriname. DR Congo will meet the winner between New Caledonia and Jamaica on Tuesday, March 31, for a chance to secure a World Cup berth.
