FIFA has officially listed DR Congo national football team as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, effectively ruling out any possibility of Nigeria securing a late entry through that route.
The world football governing body disclosed this in an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the play-off tournament, where it confirmed the six national teams that will compete for the remaining slots at the global competition.
With the confirmation, Nigeria national football team has now been eliminated from the last qualification pathway for the tournament scheduled to take place in United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria had earlier attempted to challenge the outcome of its defeat to DR Congo in the CAF qualification play-off held in November 2025.
The match ended in a 1–1 draw in regulation time before the Congolese side secured victory through a penalty shootout.
Following the game, the Nigeria Football Federation lodged an official complaint, accusing the Congolese team of using players who were allegedly not eligible to feature in the encounter.
The federation had hoped that a review of the case would overturn the result and allow the Super Eagles to replace DR Congo in the inter-confederation play-off.
However, FIFA’s publication of the final list of participating countries has now effectively closed the matter and confirmed DR Congo’s place in the competition.
