The Democratic Republic of Congo has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Jamaica 1-0 on Tuesday in the intercontinental play-offs.
The result secured DR Congo’s place at the tournament for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire. Their qualification also completed Africa’s list of teams for the 2026 World Cup.
Earlier in the qualification campaign, DR Congo had beaten Nigeria in the African play-off final to keep their hopes alive. Jamaica had reached the final after defeating New Caledonia in the semi-finals on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
Other Teams That Have Already Qualified
There were also major developments in Europe, where Bosnia and Herzegovina knocked Italy out of the World Cup race. Bosnia and Herzegovina held Italy to a 1-1 draw after extra time before winning 4-1 on penalties.
The result means Italy will miss the World Cup for the third straight time, having also failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar. Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, will now appear at only their second World Cup.
Iraq also secured qualification after beating Bolivia 2-1 in the intercontinental play-off in Mexico, sealing its first appearance at the finals in 40 years.
The Czech Republic also booked a place after defeating Denmark in a play-off decided on penalties, while Sweden qualified after beating Poland 3-2, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring the late winner in the 88th minute.
Countries Already Through to the 2026 World Cup
A total of 48 teams will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The three host nations qualified automatically.
From Asia, the teams that have qualified are Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
From Oceania, New Zealand claimed the region’s direct qualification spot.
From Africa, the teams that have qualified are Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, and DR Congo.
From South America, the qualified teams include Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, and Argentina.
World Cup Groups
Group A
Mexico
South Africa
Korea Republic
Czech Republic
Group B
Canada
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar
Switzerland
Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Group D
United States
Paraguay
Australia
Turkey
Group E
Germany
Curacao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands
Japan
Sweden
Tunisia
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand
Group H
Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
Group I
France
Senegal
Iraq
Norway
Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Group K
Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
Ukpono Nsima
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