Following the 2025 World Cup qualifiers, FIFA has confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, effectively ending Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The world football governing body released the official list of six nations that will compete for the last two slots at the expanded 48-team tournament, set to be held jointly in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the final play-off qualification stage, the Democratic Republic of Congo secured Africa’s representative position after defeating Nigeria in the CAF play-off final, leaving the Super Eagles out of the remaining qualification pathway.
According to reports, the six nations confirmed by FIFA to take part in the inter-confederation play-off tournament are Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname. These countries will contest the play-offs from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Mexico, where the winners of the mini-tournament will claim the final two qualifying places for the World Cup.
Africa’s sole entrant to the play-offs this year is DR Congo, as the outcome of the CAF qualifying play-off determined they would take that slot. While some African nations have already secured direct qualification places through the group stages of CAF qualifying, only DR Congo will have the additional opportunity through the inter-confederation play-off.
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