Kinshasa, November 20th, 2025 (CPA). – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will face the winner between New Caledonia and Jamaica, following the draw held on Thursday in Zurich, Switzerland, for the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March 23rd to 31st, 2026, in Mexico, according to the website of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), consulted by CPA.
‘Semi-final: New Caledonia (OFC) vs Jamaica (Concacaf). Final: DRC (CAF) vs New Caledonia or Jamaica (Concacaf),’ it is read. In view of this draw, it follows that DRC has been exempted from the semi-finals, given its 56th position in the FIFA rankings for November, updated on Wednesday, giving the Leopards the opportunity to watch this match and get an idea of the winner of this semi-final, with a view to the final itself, scheduled to take place at either the Guadalajara or Monterrey stadium in Mexico, the two sites chosen to host these play-offs. In this first group, DRC will be acting as ambassador for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), New Caledonia for the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Jamaica for the Confederation of North America, Central America and Caribbean Football (Concacaf)
Iraq will face the winner of the Bolivia-Suriname match
For the second semi-final, it will be a contest between Bolivia (CONMEBOL) and Suriname (Concacaf) and which the winner will go on to face Iraq (AFC) in the final for a qualifying place in the final phase of the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from June 9th to July 19th, 2026.
In this group, Bolivia is as the representative of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), Suriname for the Confederation of North America, Central America and Caribbean Football (Concacaf) and Iraq for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Semi-finals: Bolivia (CONMEBOL) v Suriname (Concacaf) and final: Iraq (AFC) v Bolivia (CONMEBOL) or Suriname (Concacaf).
Semi-finals: Bolivia (CONMEBOL)-Suriname (Concacaf) and final: Iraq (AFC)-Bolivia (CONMEBOL) or Suriname (Concacaf).