Nigeria’s hopes of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have officially been extinguished after FIFA confirmed the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation play-off tournament.

In an accreditation notice released to international media on Wednesday, football’s global governing body outlined details of the six-nation play-off competition set to determine the final two qualification slots for the expanded World Cup to be co-hosted by 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

DR Congo Gets the Nod

DR Congo national football team will join five other nations — Bolivia national football team, Iraq national football team, Jamaica national football team, New Caledonia national football team, and Suriname national football team — in the high-stakes mini-tournament scheduled to kick off on March 26.

The confirmation effectively shuts the door on Nigeria’s challenge regarding the outcome of their November 2025 CAF play-off encounter against DR Congo.

Nigeria’s Protest Falls Short

The Nigeria national football team, popularly known as the Super Eagles, had contested their elimination after losing the decisive fixture to DR Congo via penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Nigeria’s football authorities filed a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the match. However, FIFA’s latest communication indicates that the complaint did not alter the outcome, with DR Congo officially retained as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-off.

Bitter End to World Cup Dream

For Nigeria, the confirmation represents a painful conclusion to a turbulent qualification campaign. The Super Eagles, three-time African champions and regular World Cup participants in recent decades, will now miss out on the historic first 48-team edition of the tournament.

With the inter-confederation play-off tournament set to determine the final two tickets to North America 2026, attention shifts to DR Congo and the five other contenders battling for a place on football’s biggest stage.

For Nigerian fans, however, the announcement marks the definitive end of the road in their quest for a return to the global showpiece.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have maintained their position as the highest-ranked women’s football team in Africa, according to the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday.

The nine-time African champions are placed 36th in the world with 1,630 points, following their recent triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where they clinched a record-extending 10th title.

On the global stage, reigning world champions Spain top the rankings with 2,066 points, narrowly ahead of the United States who are second with 2,065 points. Sweden is third with 2,025 points, while European champions England occupy the fourth spot with 2,022 points.

In Africa, South Africa trails the Super Falcons, ranked second on the continent and 54th globally with 1,465 points. WAFCON 2024 finalists and hosts Morocco are third in Africa and 64th in the world with 1,407 points, followed closely by Zambia, ranked fourth in Africa and 65th globally with 1,402 points.

The next update of the FIFA Women’s World Rankings will be released on December 11, 2025.

A new era is about to unfold in Nigerian tennis as the inaugural Senate President National Open Lawn Tennis Championship is set to serve off this October in a thrilling two-city tournament.

The historic championship, powered by Africa Sports Management Nigeria Limited in partnership with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), promises to inject fresh energy into grassroots tennis and shine a spotlight on the next generation of stars.

The big announcement was made during a high-profile visit to the Office of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, led by the Chairman/CEO of Africa Sports Management, Rt. Hon. Prince Mathew Kolawole, and Rotimi Akinloye, representing the NTF President.

The meeting was brokered by Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Development.

According to Kolawole, the tournament is designed to celebrate Senate President Akpabio’s dynamic leadership and to serve as a vehicle for youth empowerment, sports development, and national unity through tennis.

“This championship is not just about tennis,” Kolawole declared. “It’s about engaging Nigerian youths, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating a platform for budding talents to connect, compete, and grow.”

The championship will hit the courts in Abuja and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State — Akpabio’s home turf — in what’s expected to be a spectacle of athleticism and national pride.

Welcoming the initiative with enthusiasm, Senate President Akpabio pledged his full support and used the opportunity to rally the private sector behind sports development.

“Sports shouldn’t be government-funded alone,” Akpabio said. “The private sector must rise to the occasion. Competitions like this can attract sponsors, engage our youths, and produce future champions who will make Nigeria proud.”

With big names, bold ambitions, and a vision to transform the tennis scene, the countdown to October has begun — and all eyes are on the courts.