World Cup
DR Congo confident ahead of World Cup play-off final as Nigeria dispute eligibility
By Kunle Solaja.
As controversy surrounds DR Congo’s participation in the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s coach, Sébastien Desabre, has declared that the entire nation will “come to a standstill” when the Leopards play their decisive qualification match later this month.
Nigeria have lodged a protest challenging the eligibility of the Central African side following their dramatic play-off clash, a dispute that could yet influence the outcome of the qualification race for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Despite the off-field uncertainty, Desabre insists his team remain focused on securing their place at the global showpiece.
Speaking in an interview published on FIFA’s official website ahead of the play-off final in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 31, the French tactician said his side were fully motivated to complete a long and demanding qualifying journey.
“We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective,” Desabre said. “This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It’s definitely been a long road to get here, and we’ve worked our way through every stage.”
The Leopards are chasing a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, having made their only appearance in 1974 when the country was still known as Zaire.
DR Congo players are looking forward to a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.
To secure qualification, DR Congo must defeat either Jamaica or New Caledonia in the play-off final, with the winner earning one of the last tickets to the 2026 tournament.
Desabre acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion but urged his players to remain composed despite the historic opportunity.
“We all want to go to the World Cup, but we can’t let our emotions get the better of us,” he said. “What matters is playing well, staying grounded and giving everything on the pitch to make Congo proud.”
The coach highlighted the unity within the squad as one of the team’s key strengths.
“The players share a strong bond on and off the pitch. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Our forwards track back, our defenders push forward – we fight together like soldiers going into battle for our country.”
Desabre also pointed to the team’s defensive discipline during qualifying, having conceded just once in their last four matches, while maintaining attacking efficiency.
“We have talented players at top clubs, and everyone has bought into the project we’ve been building,” he added.
The DR Congo coach referenced the earlier play-off clash with Nigeria – a tense encounter decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw – as the type of performance his side must replicate in the final.
“We need to deliver the kind of performance we produced against Nigeria,” he said.
With qualification within touching distance, Desabre believes the match could become a defining moment for football in the Central African nation.
“The Congolese are passionate about football, and some people are going through difficult times,” he said. “I know the whole nation will come to a standstill on 31 March so they can watch the match. We hope we can give our fans the lift they deserve.”
For Desabre, guiding DR Congo to the World Cup would represent the culmination of more than three years of rebuilding.
“When I took the job, the team had hit a rough patch, but I believed in them from the start,” he said. “Now we are within touching distance of our goal.”
While the Leopards prepare for a warm-up match against Bermuda before travelling to Mexico, attention in African football circles remains divided between the upcoming play-off final and Nigeria’s protest, which questions whether DR Congo were eligible to take part in the decisive stage of the qualification process.
The outcome of that dispute could ultimately determine whether the Leopards’ dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time in more than half a century becomes a reality.
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World Cup
BREAKING! Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US: Iran federation chief
Iran’s football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian football president Mehdi Taj said on Monday.
Iran’s sports minister said last week it was not possible for the Iranian players to participate in the tournament after the U.S. launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said Iran were welcome to participate but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the U.S. “for their own life and safety”.
“When (U.S. President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.
“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”
Iran has qualified for the 48-team tournament to be held in the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 and are scheduled to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle
-Reuters
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Neymar was left out of the latest Brazil squad named by coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday for this month’s friendlies, as the five-time world champions continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil are set to play France on March 26 in Boston and Croatia on March 31 in Orlando ahead of the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Neymar’s absence comes after the 34-year-old missed a recent game for Santos FC due to muscle fatigue, a match which Ancelotti had planned to assess him in person during a scouting trip ahead of the squad announcement.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023 and has struggled to maintain a consistent run of matches since returning to Santos last year.
“Neymar can be at the World Cup if he’s 100%,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday after announcing his squad. “I didn’t call him up because he’s not 100%. Neymar has to be training and playing.”
Neymar, at a Kings League event in Sao Paulo on Monday, said that he was disappointed and sad about being left out.
“But I remain focused, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We will achieve our goal. The dream continues.”
Ancelotti has called up 19-year-old Endrick, who returns to international action for the first time in almost a year, and handed a first call-up to Brentford’s Igor Thiago as Brazil look to refresh their attacking options.
Brazil will play another friendly against Egypt in June before beginning their Group C World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13.
Brazil squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)
Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
-Reuters
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The Spanish city of La Coruña has announced that it will no longer pursue hosting matches at the 2030 FIFA World Cup, opting instead to focus on a long-term redevelopment of its main sports infrastructure.
Mayor Inés Rey confirmed the decision during a press conference attended by Deportivo La Coruña president Juan Carlos Escotet and Valentin González Formoso, head of the provincial council.
“We wanted La Coruña to be a host city for the World Cup, but not at any cost,” Rey said. “The circumstances we faced recently required a calm evaluation of what is truly best for the city. This decision does not close a door; it opens a new stage.”
Rather than concentrating resources on staging matches during the tournament, city authorities and football officials have agreed to undertake a major renovation of the city’s sporting facilities. Central to the project is a full modernisation of the historic Riazor Stadium, home ground of Deportivo La Coruña, along with upgrades to the surrounding sports complex.
Rey explained that the decision followed a careful assessment of the long-term benefits for the city. While hosting World Cup matches would have brought global attention, she said the city needed a project that would serve residents well beyond the short duration of the tournament.
“The World Cup would have been important for a few days,” the mayor said. “But the project we are launching today is designed to serve the city for decades.”
Formoso described the redevelopment initiative as a joint commitment among local institutions to improve infrastructure that the city has needed for years.
“Our commitment to this project is absolute,” he said. “La Coruña deserves clear investment in its sports facilities, and we hope this effort will also be reflected in sporting success.”
Escotet also welcomed the agreement, saying the plan represents a positive step for both the club and the city.
“We aim to create a space that generates value every day of the year,” he said. “This project goes beyond sport. It is about responsible and sustainable development for the city.”
With the withdrawal, La Coruña becomes the second Spanish city to step aside from hosting matches at the 2030 tournament, following the earlier decision by Málaga to drop out of the hosting race. The World Cup will be jointly organised by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.
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DR Congo confident ahead of World Cup play-off final as Nigeria dispute eligibility
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