Nigeria Eliminated from World Cup as DR Congo Advances

Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles, has been officially eliminated from the World Cup qualification process as FIFA confirmed that DR Congo will represent Africa in the upcoming Intercontinental playoffs. This decision follows Nigeria's formal complaint regarding DR Congo's ineligible player during the penalty shootout in the playoff final held last month.

The playoffs will take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in cities across Mexico, with six teams competing for the final two spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The teams involved include Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.

The absence of Nigeria means that the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the first time since their maiden participation in 1994.