DR Congo Continue World Cup Playoff Preparation
Last update: March 17, 2026
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DR Congo will face either Jamaica or New Caledonia for a place at their first World Cup since 1974.
DR Congo national football team are continuing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-off despite an ongoing protest by the Nigeria Football Federation over player eligibility.
Nigeria’s complaint follows DR Congo’s 4–3 penalty shootout victory over the Super Eagles in last November’s African play-off final.
CBI News reports that the NFF is questioning the eligibility of some Congolese players, citing concerns over an alleged improper switch of nationality.
Amid the dispute, DR Congo have left out Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens from their 26-man squad for the next phase, as the matter awaits official resolution.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre said the team remains focused on achieving qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective. That’s the goal we set ourselves when I took this job three and a half years ago. This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It’s definitely been a long road to get here and we’ve worked our way through every stage,” Desabre told FIFA.
The team is scheduled to travel to Mexico, with matches set to be played in Guadalajara and Monterrey, where six teams will compete for the final two spots at the expanded tournament.
DR Congo will face either Jamaica national football team or New Caledonia national football team in the play-off final on March 31 in Guadalajara, with a place at the World Cup at stake.
Desabre expressed confidence ahead of the decisive clash.
He said: “We’re not afraid of anyone. We’re going to give it our all.
"As a minimum, we need to replicate the kind of performance we delivered against Nigeria (a match which DR Congo won 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time). We know all about Jamaica and New Caledonia. We’ve been scouting them. We’ll also have the chance to watch them play in Mexico on March 26, but for now we’re focusing on our own players.”
A win in the play-off would secure DR Congo’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup since 1974.
