Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju, has congratulated the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals scheduled to be hosted by Mexico, the USA and Canada in June, Completesports.com reports.
2026 FIFA World Cup: DR Congo Seal Historic Qualification With Play-Off Victory
On Tuesday, 31 March 2026, DR Congo defeated Jamaica 1–0 after extra time at the Estadio Akron (Guadalajara Stadium) in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico, in the intercontinental play-off to secure their place in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal 10 minutes into the first half of extra time as DR Congo qualified for their first-ever World Cup finals.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Adepoju Reacts To DR Congo’s Achievement
Adepoju, a member of Nigeria’s Super Eagles squads at the 1994 (USA), 1998 (France) and 2002 (Korea/Japan) FIFA World Cups, told Completesports.com on Tuesday night that it was unfortunate Nigeria missed out on the global showpiece. However, he expressed confidence that the country would learn valuable lessons from their failure to qualify.
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“I must congratulate DR Congo for defeating Jamaica 1–0 in the intercontinental play-off in Mexico to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals,” Adepoju said.
“It’s good for the country, it’s good for the players, and it’s good for Congolese football.
“World Cup experience is something every player and nation should have, especially when it is a first-time experience.”
2026 FIFA World Cup: Adepoju Laments Nigeria’s Absence
Nicknamed ‘Headmaster’ during his playing days, Adepoju lamented Nigeria’s absence from what will be the first World Cup staged across three countries — Mexico, the USA and Canada — attributing the failure to a combination of factors, including lack of seriousness.
“It’s hard to take that Nigeria isn’t going to be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but DR Congo instead.
“I just hope lessons have been learnt. We must be more serious next time and more proactive too,” the former Racing Santander forward stated.
FIFA Dismisses Nigeria’s Petition Against DR Congo
DR Congo had earlier defeated Nigeria 4–3 on penalties during the African play-offs in Morocco on 16 November 2025, following a 1–1 draw after regulation and extra time.
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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) subsequently lodged a petition with FIFA, seeking DR Congo’s disqualification over the alleged fielding of ineligible players.
However, in late March 2026, FIFA dismissed Nigeria’s petition, ruling that it was filed out of time and that the required protest fee was not paid.
The decision confirmed Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup finals for a second consecutive tournament.
By Sab Osuji
