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Congolese officials named their team for the interconfederational playoffs despite the unresolved eligibility dispute with Nigeria.
Squad Announcement
The Democratic Republic of Congo released its squad for the interconfederational playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. The Congolese Football Association announced the list on Wednesday.
The move came despite the ongoing legal dispute. The Nigeria Football Federation petitioned FIFA over the eligibility status of some players.
Coach Maintains Core Group
Sébastien Desabre, the head coach of DR Congo, kept almost the exact squad. That squad defeated Nigeria on penalties in the African playoff for the World Cup in November 2025.
Desabre made minimal changes to the successful lineup. He relied on the same core players who advanced DR Congo in the earlier round.
Nigeria Awaits Decision
Meanwhile, Nigeria continued to wait for FIFA to issue its ruling on the petition. The delay created uncertainty for both sides as the playoffs approached.
The Congolese Football Association proceeded with preparations. Nigeria monitored developments closely while planning its own next steps.
