DR Congo
Full groups and fixtures set for 2026 FIFA World Cup
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The 48 teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico have been confirmed after the final qualifiers. DR Congo and Iraq secured the last spots, with Curacao, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan making their debuts. Argentina enter as defending champions.
Mokhtar Abdel Latif, chairperson of Egypt's Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), met on Tuesday with Jules Banza Mwilambwe, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to explore cooperation in industrial, defence, and development sectors. The Congolese delegation, including senior officials, was received in the presence of Kasongo Musenga Jean-Baptiste, DR Congo's ambassador in Cairo. Discussions covered leveraging AOI's advanced manufacturing for development projects in DR Congo.
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Following their semifinal advances, Demokratiska Republiken Kongo faces Jamaica tonight in Mexico for one of two remaining 2026 World Cup spots, while Iraq takes on Bolivia early Wednesday. The winners will join 46 other teams at the tournament. All four nations have prior World Cup experience but limited success.
Nigeria's National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko has described the country's FIFA complaint over DR Congo players' eligibility as 'very tight', stressing its legal basis amid review following the Super Eagles' playoff penalty loss. DR Congo dismisses it as backdoor tactics.
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In the lead-up to FIFA's dismissal of Nigeria's protest on December 18, 2025—as previously reported—the Nigeria Football Federation challenged DR Congo's 2026 World Cup playoff win on November 16 in Rabat, Morocco, alleging ineligible players due to dual nationality issues under Congolese law. The 1-1 draw went to a 4-3 penalty shootout victory for DR Congo, but Nigeria's detailed complaint kept qualification hopes alive briefly.