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, Sunday night,16 November,2025.
In reflection, Nigeria had qualified for six of the seven World Cups between 1994 and 2018.
After failing to qualify in 2022, tonight’s defeat means they will miss consecutive World Cups for the first time since 1990.
When it is considered that there could be double the amount of African teams next summer than there were in Qatar, this is a huge failure from Eric Chelle and his players.
Nigeria’s game tonight was the second time they had gone past normal time in this international break (the other being the 4-1 thrashing of Gabon), but there were no extra-time heroics this time around after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
DR Congo will now progress to the inter-confederation play-offs to be played in March 2026.
Mbemba, That Man Again
DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba scored a last-minute winner for his nation to beat Cameroun in the Africa playoff semi-final and scored the winning penalty for DR Congo to eliminate Nigeria in the final.
The captain, on his 101st international appearance, stepped up at a crucial time and slammed it in.
Match Report
Nigeria’s route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a damaging hit following a gripping 1-1 draw after extra time,then elimination on penalties.
The contest began brightly for Nigeria, who struck inside three minutes through Frank Onyeka.
The midfielder’s driven effort took a crucial deflection, leaving goalkeeper Lionel M’Pasi wrong-footed as the Super Eagles made the ideal start.
Nigeria pressed aggressively, but DR Congo grew into the game with Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka probing the defence.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 32nd minute when Mechak Elia punished a defensive lapse, robbing Alex Iwobi before calmly placing his finish beyond Stanley Nwabali.
The equaliser shifted momentum, though Nigeria still carried threat through Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman heading into the break.
Osimhen’s early second-half withdrawal invited more DR Congo pressure, and Nwabali was forced into several vital saves to keep Nigeria level, including a dramatic goal-line intervention.
The Leopards controlled extra time as fatigue set in, and while they had a goal ruled out for an earlier foul, they continued to push the Super Eagles deep.
With no breakthrough after 120 minutes, penalties determined the outcome — and DR Congo held firm where Nigeria faltered.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Sadness… And joy.
