DR Congo must wait to discover their final opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Off after being drawn against the winner of the Jamaica–New Caledonia matchup.
The Leopards earned their direct place in the playoff final following a dramatic African qualifying run, defeating Cameroon late on before edging Nigeria in a tense penalty shootout.
Their path means they bypass the semifinal stage of the mini-tournament, leaving Jamaica and New Caledonia to fight for the right to meet them in Mexico next March.
The upcoming clash between the CONCACAF side and the Oceania hopefuls will determine who stands between DR Congo and a long-awaited World Cup return.
New Caledonia are pushing for their first-ever appearance on the global stage, while Jamaica seek to reach the tournament again after years of near misses.
The playoff finals form part of a six-team tournament involving representatives from Africa, Asia, Oceania, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, with only two places available for the 2026 World Cup.
The competition will run from March 23 to 31 in Mexico, one of the three host nations.
For DR Congo, the decisive match presents a chance to end a 52-year wait since their last World Cup appearance in 1974.
