FIFA on Wednesday officially unveiled the final roster for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative and effectively closing the door on Nigeria’s ambitions of reaching the 2026 global showpiece.
In an accreditation update circulated to journalists ahead of the tournament, the global football authority detailed the structure of the competition and identified the six participating countries, with DR Congo confirmed as the Confederation of African Football’s entrant.
The announcement leaves Nigeria without a pathway back into contention, despite efforts by the Nigeria Football Federation to contest their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
The federation had submitted a formal complaint alleging that DR Congo deployed ineligible players during the crucial encounter, which ended in a 1-1 draw before Nigeria were beaten in a penalty shootout.
Through the appeal, the NFF sought to have the outcome reversed in order to claim a place in the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, FIFA’s latest correspondence strongly suggests that the governing body has resolved the matter without altering the original verdict.
In its communication, FIFA did not mention any revision to the list of qualified teams, a clear indication that the earlier result remains valid and that Nigeria’s elimination is final.
In its 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 organisation further stated, “All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers.”
The play-off fixtures are scheduled to begin on Thursday, March 26, with New Caledonia facing Jamaica, while Bolivia will square off against Suriname.
DR Congo is set to confront the winner of the New Caledonia versus Jamaica encounter on Tuesday, March 31, in a decisive clash that will determine one of the remaining tickets to the World Cup.
What you should know
FIFA has confirmed DR Congo as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shutting down Nigeria’s protest over alleged ineligible players.
The Nigeria Football Federation had appealed their CAF play-off loss, hoping to reclaim a qualification spot, but FIFA’s final list of participating nations signals that the original result stands.
With six teams now confirmed, only two slots remain available for the tournament to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
