DR Congo Snatches World Cup Dream: Penalties Send Nigeria to the Global Playoff
16 November 2025
DR Congo march into the World Cup intercontinental playoff
DR Congo defeated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in Rabat, securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoff to be staged in March 2026.
The Congolese will join six other teams in the playoff lineup, including the winner of the Asia playoff between Iraq and UAE, plus teams from South America and CONCACAF, with the final rounds scheduled across a single global bracket.
Nigeria opened the scoring inside three minutes when Frank Onyeka fired from just outside the area following a cross by Zaidu Sanusi, but Congo equalized in the 31st minute as Meschak Elia struck home after a defensive lapse by Ndidi.
The second half produced chances for both sides, but the match stayed level and drifted into extra time, where Congo pressed for a decisive breakthrough while Nigeria pressed to avoid heartbreak.
In the extra period, Congo continued to press with Nathaniel Maboko forcing a save and a late Muscled shot by Festus Maiye? No, the decisive moment came in the shootout, where Congo held their nerve and Nigeria missed three of six kicks while Congo missed two, sealing the victory for the visitors.
FIFA will stage the World Cup playoff draw on 20 November, with the final lineup shaped by rankings as of that date and the matches set to determine one more slot in the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
All playoff games will be spread across the three nations of the host region, with the CONCACAF and OFC representatives joining the six teams in a format that promises a dramatic finale to the road to 2026.
Punchline time: If penalties were a game of darts, Congo just hit the bullseye while Nigeria kept aiming at the referee’s whistle. Punchline two: Football proves again that the only thing sharper than a striker’s shot is a goalkeeper’s dramatic save—bravo Congo, better luck next time Nigeria!
