World football governing body FIFA has officially unveiled the six nations set to compete in the FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament, confirming DR Congo as Africa’s representative.
The announcement effectively ends Nigeria’s hopes of securing a late route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the play-off system.
In a communication issued to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA outlined the structure of the tournament and named the participating countries.
DR Congo’s confirmation means there is no available slot for Nigeria, whose football authorities had sought to overturn their elimination in the CAF play-offs held in November 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation had filed a formal complaint, claiming that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during their decisive encounter.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time before proceeding to a penalty shootout, where Nigeria fell short.
Nigeria’s appeal aimed to nullify the result and secure a place for the Super Eagles in the inter-confederation play-offs.
However, with FIFA’s latest confirmation of qualified teams, that challenge has not altered the final line-up.
According to FIFA, the play-off tournament will feature six countries battling for the last two tickets to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The six confirmed teams are Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off on March 26, with the participating nations aiming to clinch the final spots at the expanded global showpiece.
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