Nigeria will not play at the 2026 World Cup after they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by DR Congo in a play-off in Rabat.
It was the second time they had gone past normal time in this international break, but there were no extra-time heroics this time around after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles a third-minute lead, but Meschack Elia levelled on 32 minutes and, after 120 tense minutes, captain Chancel Mbemba converted the decisive spot-kick to send the Leopards into March’s inter-confederation play-off in Mexico. Nigeria’s hopes end here.
Played at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, the contest carried a single, stark prize: a place at the six-team play-off tournament in Guadalajara and Monterrey, where two World Cup berths will be decided.
Nigeria arrived buoyed by a 4-1 extra-time win over Gabon; DR Congo had eliminated Cameroon with a stoppage-time strike from Mbemba. That cagey, hard-edged form framed much of what followed.
Nigeria’s start was electric. Victor Osimhen pinned the DR Congo back line and, after early pressure, Onyeka struck from the edge of the box, his effort glancing off Axel Tuanzebe and wrong-footing Lionel Mpasi.
The Leopards steadied and grew into the game, with Theo Bongonda and Cédric Bakambu stretching the pitch on the break.
Parity arrived just after the half-hour when Wilfred Ndidi was dispossessed in midfield and Elia pounced, racing clear to slot beyond Stanley Nwabali.
From there the pattern set: Nigeria seeking tempo through Alex Iwobi and the flanks; DR Congo compact, disciplined and dangerous in transition, marshalled by Mbemba and the impressive Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Osimhen twice went close after the interval—one header drifted past the post and another effort was smothered by Mpasi—while at the other end Bakambu tested Nwabali from distance.
Chances thinned in extra time as fatigue and caution set in, with both defences largely untroubled.
The shootout brought its own drama. The sides traded early conversions before Nigeria blinked; DR Congo held their nerve and, with the chance to finish it, Mbemba stepped up to drill home the winning penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations from Sébastien Desabre’s team.
For DR Congo, who last appeared at a World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, this marks another step in a resolute qualifying campaign built on defensive organisation and big moments in tight games.
They now advance to the inter-confederation play-off from 23–31 March 2026.
