FIFA has released the definitive list of teams for the 2026 inter-confederation play-off tournament, confirming the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s sole representative.
The announcement effectively shuts the door on Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup through that pathway.
In an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the competition, the global football body outlined the structure of the play-off tournament and identified the six countries that will compete for the last two available spots at the expanded World Cup to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
DR Congo’s inclusion on the list leaves Nigeria without a place in the tournament.
The Nigeria Football Federation had earlier submitted a formal protest after the Super Eagles were knocked out by DR Congo in the CAF play-off final in November 2025.
That encounter ended 1–1 before DR Congo triumphed in the penalty shootout.
In its petition, the NFF argued that DR Congo featured players who did not meet eligibility requirements under existing regulations and requested that the result be overturned, which would have handed Nigeria the continent’s slot in the inter-confederation play-offs.
However, FIFA’s most recent communication did not indicate any alteration to the list of qualified teams, suggesting that the outcome of the fixture remains valid and DR Congo’s qualification stands.
In the statement shared with media, 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.”
With DR Congo officially named as Africa’s entrant, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will not feature in the inter-confederation play-offs and will miss the opportunity to secure a place at the global tournament, unless further decisions emerge from FIFA’s ongoing eligibility review.
