Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a setback after FIFA confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation playoff tournament.
Details released by FIFA show that six countries will compete for the final two places at the expanded 48-team World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Nigeria is not among the teams listed for the decisive qualification stage.
Earlier, contesting the defeat to DR Congo in the November 2025 playoffs, the Nigeria Football Federation claimed the Congolese side fielded ineligible players during the one-all encounter before DR Congo advanced through penalties. FIFA’s most recent announcement, however, states the result will stand.
With matches set between March 26 and March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, The News Chronicle gathered that Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname would participate in the interconfederation playoff competition.
The four lowest-ranked teams—Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname—will first meet in semi-final matches under the framework. DR Congo and Iraq progress straight to the last round, which leaves the Congolese team just one match from guaranteed World Cup spots.
With prices between 200 and 300 Mexican pesos—much lower than those of the main World Cup tournament—ticket sales for the playoff event have also started in Mexico.
