Intercontinental Playoff Format Explained as Nigeria Eye Direct Route to Final

Football fans seeking clarity on the 2026 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs now have a clearer picture of how the process will unfold next March — and why the system strongly favours Nigeria.

After the current African playoff series ends, only the Intercontinental Playoffs will remain. Six teams will take part: one each from Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania, and two teams from CONCACAF.

A key part of the format is that the two highest-ranked teams in the FIFA rankings among the six will advance directly to the playoff finals. With Nigeria currently ranked 41st in the world and DR Congo sitting at 60th, the Super Eagles are in a stronger position.

This means that if Nigeria defeat DR Congo in the last African playoff tie, they will automatically move straight to the final of their Intercontinental Playoff path, needing to play only one match to qualify for the World Cup.

Under the format, the six teams will be divided as follows:

• The two highest-ranked teams go directly into two separate finals — Group A final and Group B final.
• The remaining four teams will contest two semi-final matches.
• Winners of the semi-finals will then face the seeded teams in the finals.
• The winners of both finals will take the two available World Cup slots.

With this system in place, Nigeria’s current FIFA ranking places them in a favourable position. A win over DR Congo would secure their place as one of the seeded teams, putting them just 90 minutes away from a World Cup ticket.

The Super Eagles now have a clear path — and a major incentive — as they prepare for the decisive showdown.