Nigeria’s hopes of appearing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup face uncertainty as world football governing body, FIFA, has listed Democratic Republic of the Congo among countries featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off.
However, Nigeria is yet to receive official communication on the peition from FIFA.
FIFA, in its official notice on its website, outlined the competition format and confirmed the six nations set to compete for the final two spots at the expanded global tournament.
The announcement leaves out Nigeria, whose football leadership has lodged a formal protest against DR Congo after the Super Eagles loss to DR Congo in the CAF play-offs in November last year. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in the petition, alleged that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before the Leopards prevailed on penalties.
The NFF had sought to overturn the outcome and secure reinstatement into the inter-confederation play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest pronouncement has confirmed that the three-time African champions have completely lost thier place in the upcoming global quadrenial soccer show.
“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 FIFA statement read.
The participating countries, according to FIFA are Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
FIFA said the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking — Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname — will contest bracket semi-finals. The two highest-ranked sides — DR Congo and Iraq — advance directly to the final stage.
This format places DR Congo one match away from qualification, with the African side set to face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia for a place at the 2026 finals.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition expanded to 48 teams.