Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after FIFA confirmed the final list of teams for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, with the DR Congo national football team securing Africa’s slot.
The confirmation effectively shuts the door on the Nigeria national football team, popularly known as the Super Eagles, whose protest over their defeat in the Confederation of African Football play-off has not altered the outcome of the qualification race.
According to an accreditation notice circulated to journalists ahead of the tournament, FIFA outlined the competition structure and listed the six national teams set to participate in the inter-confederation play-off. The notice confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative.
Nigeria had earlier contested the result of the decisive qualification match played in November 2025. The encounter ended 1–1 after regulation time before DR Congo triumphed on penalties to advance.
Following the defeat, the Nigeria Football Federation lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the match. The federation requested a review of the game and asked the world football governing body to overturn the result in order to award Nigeria the African slot in the inter-confederation play-off.
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However, FIFA’s latest communication confirming the qualified teams made no reference to any disciplinary ruling or adjustment to the results of the play-off encounter.
The decision now leaves DR Congo as Africa’s sole participant in the inter-confederation play-off tournament, which will determine the final places for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
For Nigeria, the development marks a disappointing end to their qualification hopes after a campaign that saw the Super Eagles fall short in the crucial play-off stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 national teams.
