DR Congo World Cup playoffs face uncertainty as visa delays and FIFA dispute threaten their March 2026 intercontinental match

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DR Congo) preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoffs has hit a major hurdle, with the team struggling to secure visas for its players ahead of their March 31 match in Mexico.

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The Congolese Leopards earned their playoff spot by beating Nigeria on penalties in the final of the African playoff in November 2025.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted a petition to FIFA challenging the eligibility of several DR Congo players, arguing the governing body was misled into approving their nationality switches.

The NFF claims that former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and five other players did not renounce their European passports before obtaining Congolese citizenship, contravening DR Congo’s constitutional rules on dual nationality.

Nigeria seeks to have the match result overturned, though FIFA has not responded more than two months after the petition was submitted.

Complicating matters further, the Mexican embassy reportedly rejected collective visa applications from the Federation of Congolese Football Associations (FECOFA), demanding individual appointments and the physical presence of each player.

Sources indicate the Congolese sports ministry is pursuing emergency documentation and visas on arrival through a Mexican airline, but time constraints and logistical delays remain a threat to participation.

The intercontinental playoffs, scheduled in Monterrey and Guadalajara from March 27 to 31, will see DR Congo face the winner of the semi-final between Jamaica and New Caledonia. DR Congo is the highest FIFA-ranked team in the draw.

In response to the uncertainty, the NFF has arranged two friendly matches for the Super Eagles against Jordan and Iran in Amman during the March international window.

The fixtures serve as a precaution in case FIFA rules against DR Congo, allowing Nigeria to maintain competitive activity.

Meanwhile, ongoing regional instability in Mexico, following clashes between authorities and cartel groups, has prompted FIFA to liaise with local authorities to ensure the safety of scheduled matches.

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With visa delays and the pending FIFA ruling, DR Congo’s World Cup ambitions hang in the balance, creating renewed hope for Nigeria to reclaim the playoff spot.