- Safiu Kehinde
The Super Eagles’ hope of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dashed as FIFA releases the final list of teams for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, with DR Congo confirmed as Africa’s representative.
NPO Reported that DR Congo had last year knocked out Nigeria at fhe Africa’s play-off final.
However, the Nigeria Football Federation filed a formal protest, alleging that Congolese fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before the Super Eagles lost on penalties.
FIFA’s acceptance of the appeal for investigation had revived the hope of possible overturn of the result which would see the Super Eagles secure a place in the inter-continental play-offs.
Unfortunately, FIFA, in an accreditation notice issued to journalists ahead of the competition, outlined the tournament format and listed the six participating countries with DR Congo included.
DR Congo’s inclusion effectively rules out Super Eagles as the FIFA’s latest communication did not indicate any amendment to the qualified teams, signaling that the original result stands and confirming Nigeria’s elimination.
In a statement, 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.”
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.”