Overview
- DR Congo beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Rabat, earning a place in the March 2026 intercontinental playoff.
- Coach Sébastien Desabre brought on goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu in the 119th minute, and he saved two Nigerian penalties before Chancel Mbemba converted the winner.
- Nigeria coach Éric Chelle accused Congo staff of using “vudú” during the shootout, later miming a bottle-shaking gesture; the claim remains his allegation without independent corroboration.
- Nigeria will miss a second straight World Cup, with key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman off the field before the penalties due to earlier substitutions.
- FIFA plans to draw the playoff bracket on Thursday, with DR Congo joining Bolivia, New Caledonia, the AFC playoff winner, and two CONCACAF teams.