Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the world football governing body confirmed DR Congo as Africa’s representative in the intercontinental play-off tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nigeria had earlier hoped to revive its qualification chances after submitting a formal complaint to FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during their penalty shootout victory over the Super Eagles in the continental play-off final. The complaint sparked months of uncertainty surrounding the final qualification outcome.
However, FIFA has now settled the issue. In an official tournament notice, the football body listed DR Congo among the six countries that will compete in the intercontinental play-off tournament for the final two available slots at the expanded 2026 World Cup.
According to FIFA, the play-off tournament will feature six teams battling for the remaining two qualification places.
The teams confirmed for the tournament include Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
The play-off matches are scheduled to take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Nigeria’s absence represents a major setback for the three-time African champions. It will also mark the first time since their World Cup debut in 1994 that the Super Eagles have failed to qualify for two consecutive tournaments, having also missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
