Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes ended? FIFA 'confirms' DR Congo in Playoff schedule

by Devesh Jaganath

image Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup hopes ended? FIFA 'confirms' DR Congo in Playoff schedule
Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a massive blow last week after FIFA reportedly included the Democratic Republic of Congo in their official list of qualified teams for the intercontinental Playoffs. The Super Eagles filed a formal protest against the Leopards for fielding ineligible players in their CAF Playoff last November.

Super Eagles 'left out' of FIFA’s list of teams for Intercontinental Playoffs 

The Nigerian national football team’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were handed a significant dent last week, when FIFA reportedly excluded the Super Eagles from its official list of teams to participate in the Intercontinental Playoffs. 

The international football governing body confirmed that the Playoffs will take place on March 26 and 31 in Zapopan and Guadalupe to determine two qualification spots for the global tournament to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico in June and July this year. We will be covering these matches in our 2026 World Cup predictions. 

Last week, reports began to circulate that FIFA released its official list of teams and fixtures for the Intercontinental Playoffs, and included the Democratic Republic of Congo as a finalist in Pathway 1, which will see them face either New Caledonia or Jamaica. 

Based on these reports relating to FIFA’s announcement and fixture list, the Super Eagles’ World Cup hopes have ended, as they have not been reinstated into the competition following their penalty shootout defeat to the DR Congo in November’s CAF Playoff final, which ended 1-1 after extra-time. 

The Nigerian Football Federation had lodged a formal complaint after that match, alleging that the Leopards fielded ineligible players during the decisive fixture, including the likes of Premier League stars Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe. 

 

NFF denies Super Eagles’ 2026 FIFA World Cup exit 

While reports have been coming in thick and fast in recent days, it is important to clarify that there is no concrete evidence that FIFA have indeed disregarded Nigeria’s complaint, which would effectively bring an end to their World Cup qualification campaign.

The NFF has also dismissed the reports suggesting that FIFA have confirmed DR Congo’s participation in the Intercontinental Playoffs, claiming that they have not received any formal communication from the governing body regarding their pending dispute. NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire said: 

“The NFF have not received any formal communication from FIFA whatsoever. No information can be shared with journalists without first coming to the federations involved. Yes, our wait is ongoing. We are still expecting formal communication from FIFA. Let those posting the old quotes continue posting them.”

Olajire went on to explain that the reports doing the rounds on social media last week were taken from a FIFA statement made in November 2025, a month before the NFF officially submitted its petition against the Leopards over player eligibility.