DR Congo Shock Nigeria On Penalties To Reach World Cup Play-Offs

BERLIN, Nov 17 (Bernama-dpa) -- DR Congo entered the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 World Cup after beating favourites Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia had already qualified directly from Africa.

In Asia, the UAE host Iraq in their second leg on Tuesday to decide another play-off entrant. The first leg was 1-1.

Bolivia from South America and New Caledonia from Oceania have already reached the six-team play-offs, which will determine two World Cup spots.

Also included will be the best two group runners-up from the North American, Central American and Caribbean federations once normal qualifying ends on Tuesday.

The inter-confederation play-offs take place in March, with the draw on Thursday.

Europe has its own play-off system for the remaining non-automatic berths for the 48-team World Cup.

--BERNAMA-dpa