Super Eagles of Nigeria
By Emeka Ugochukwu
The hopes of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to play in the 2026 World Cup have been dashed as FIFA has confirmed the Leopards of DR Congo to to play in this month’s FIFA play-off.
FIFA earlier today confirmed the final list of teams for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, with DR Congo named as Africa’s representative.
In an accreditation notice sent to journalists covering the tournament, FIFA outlined the competition format and listed the six qualified nations.
The inclusion of DR Congo effectively shuts the door on Nigeria, whose football federation had ¡protested their CAF play-off defeat in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation had filed a formal petition alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive play-off, which Nigeria lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
The protest sought to overturn the result and reinstate the Super Eagles into the inter-continental play-offs.
However, FIFA’s latest communication does not refer to any amendment to the qualified teams, strongly indicating that the result stands.
In its statement, FIFA confirmed, “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 world football governing body added, “All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
Tournament format and fixtures
The play-off competition will take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.
