CAF and AFC confirmed their representatives in the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs for the final places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The intercontinental playoff will be a historic opportunity for Iraq and DR Congo to return to the World Cup.
DR Congo Beats Nigeria in Penalty Shootout
DR Congo and Nigeria traded first half goals, and Nigeria was unable to gain an upper hand in the second half or extra time. On penalties, DR Congo upset Nigeria to secure their place in the Intercontinental Playoffs. The match saw DR Congo improve throughout, Nigeria’s Frank Onyeka (Brentford) scored after 3 minutes, only to see Meschack Elia level the game in the first half for Congo.
Despite the main attacking threat for DR Congo, Cedric Bakambu subbing out in the second half, they applied most of the pressure late in the game, as Nigeria looked severely fatigued. The match went to penalties, and without Victor Osimhen, who had been substituted. Nigeria missed their first two penalties and the 6th and final penalty. Chancel Mbemba (Lille) the DR Congo Captain was the one who converted the final DR Congo penalty to send them into the playoff. They aren’t quite into the World Cup but the Leopards could return for the first time since 1974. Nigeria’s tumultuous campaign came to an end, with a frustrated manager, frustrated fans, and difficult circumstances with players and their federation. DR Congo came through the more pedigreed nations Cameroon and Nigeria to qualify, it was an impressive international window for them.
Penalty Powers Iraq Past UAE
Playing at home, Iraq was confident going into the second leg against the UAE tied 1-1 on aggregate (effectively 0-0). The first half was scoreless and defensive, Caio Lucas opened the scoring for the UAE in the second half, but Meme and Amir Al-Ammari would overturn that scoreline for Iraq. Al-ammari assisted the Meme goal, and the midfielder from Cracovia in Poland was awarded a late penalty that gave Iraq the winner in a relatively even game. The result is a disappointing one for the UAE, a nation that has heavily invested in football, but it’s Iraq, who last played in the World Cup in 1986 (their only appearance) that will represent Asia in the Intercontintental Playoffs.
Iraq and DR Congo join Bolivia from CONEMBOL, Jamaica and Suriname from CONCACAF, and OFC representative New Caledonia in the final play-in tournament.
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