Former Nigeria Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze had a simple wish ahead of Tuesday’s intercontinental playoff final: that the Democratic Republic of Congo would finish the job against Jamaica and reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Leopards delivered.
DR Congo booked their place at the World Cup with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, becoming the 47th nation confirmed for this summer’s tournament.
Former Manchester United and Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute, tapping home from close range after a corner kick to end a tense and goalless 90 minutes. The goal was confirmed following a brief video assistant referee check for a potential handball before standing.
Udeze, speaking on Brila FM ahead of the match, had made his allegiances clear. The ex-Super Eagles left-back said he backed the Leopards because he wanted Nigeria’s players to feel the sting of their elimination in November, when DR Congo knocked the Super Eagles out of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) play-offs on penalties. “I am supporting DR Congo to be at the World Cup because I want the Super Eagles players to understand what it means to qualify for a major tournament,” he said. “Especially when the team that knocked you out goes on to qualify.”
That knockout came in dramatic fashion. DR Congo eliminated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw across regulation and extra time in the CAF play-off in Morocco, before advancing through the intercontinental stage to the final.
With the result, DR Congo joins fellow African nations Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cape Verde, and South Africa at the tournament, bringing Africa’s total representation to 10 teams.
It marks DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they participated as Zaire. They will enter Group K, where their opening fixture is against Portugal.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
