Sports
FIFA Confirms DR Congo for World Cup Playoff, Nigeria Miss Out After NFF Protest
World football governing body FIFA has confirmed Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) as the team set to compete in the upcoming World Cup playoff, effectively ending Nigeria’s hopes of a late qualification reprieve.
In an official accreditation notice issued ahead of the decisive fixtures, FIFA listed DR Congo to face the winner of the playoff between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31. The matches are scheduled to take place in Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Notably absent from the communication was any mention of Nigeria, despite a formal protest lodged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The federation had challenged the outcome of their November 2025 penalty shootout defeat, alleging the use of ineligible players and citing discrepancies in nationality eligibility rules.
While the NFF maintained that the matter was under review and awaited a formal ruling, FIFA’s latest communication appears to confirm DR Congo’s participation, with ticket sales already underway for the March 26–31 playoff window.
The development has sparked widespread disappointment among Nigerian supporters, many of whom took to social media to express frustration over what they see as the end of qualification hopes for the three-time African champions. However, some fans have urged calm, noting that an official detailed verdict on the protest has yet to be publicly released.
With preparations intensifying for the decisive playoff fixtures in Mexico, DR Congo now looks set to battle for a place on football’s biggest stage, while Nigeria’s focus may shift toward future competitions.
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