By Akinwale Kasali
The hope of the Super Eagles of Nigeria of being at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play Offs has been dashed. TheWorld Soccer Governing Body, Federation International of Football Association, FIFA, has quashed Nigeria’s petition against Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, had petitioned FIFA that DR Congo fielded ineligible players, praying that the World Soccer Governing Body disqualifies DR Congo from the Confederation Play Offs.
The hope of Nigeria was, however, short-lived as
FIFA on Wednesday confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative.
The development by the football governing body has dashed Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In an accreditation notice circulated to Journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA detailed the tournament format and listed the six participating nations.
DR Congo’s inclusion leaves no room for Nigeria which football federation had challenged the result of their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.
Confirming the development 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.”
“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 tournament gets underway on March 26.
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