DR Congo defeated Jamaica, 1-0, in extra time in a winner-take-all World Cup playoff final at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico, on Tuesday, March 31.
With the victory, Congo earned a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will make its first appearance in the tournament since 1974, when it was known as Zaire.
The African side earned its spot in the FIFA intercontinental playoff final by beating Nigeria on penalties in the CAF playoff final.
Jamaica’s defeat means both Concacaf representatives in the intercontinental playoffs — Suriname lost to Bolivia in its semifinal match — were unable to qualify for the World Cup. Concacaf will have six World Cup participants, including the three host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States.
USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights of the DR Congo-Jamaica World Cup qualifying playoff:
Final
The DR Congo and Jamaica World Cup qualifying playoff final experiencing a lengthy delay when the main referee for the match, Facundo Tello, was injured in the 112th minute. Tello was unable to continue and was replaced.
We finally have a breakthrough in the 100th minute, as Axel Tuanzebe of DR Congo scored the first goal of the match in the 100th minute off a corner kick. A VAR check confirmed the goal.
DR Congo has been the more aggressive side since halftime, and it finally paid off against what looks like a tired Jamaica side. Now, Jamaica has 20 minutes to even this thing up.
While DR Congo enjoyed the more threatening goal-scoring chances in the second half, Jamaica — thanks in large part to goalkeeper Andre Blake — kept FIFA intercontinental playoff final scoreless through 90 minutes of play.
So, a World Cup spot will be determined in extra time, or via a penalty kick shootout if the match is still scoreless after 30 minutes.
Congo, for a brief moment, thought it had a go-ahead goal in the 86th minute, but the score was called back due to offsides.
Instead, we remain scoreless at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico.
It’s been an evenly contested match at Estadio Akron between Congo and Jamaica.
Jamaica has enjoyed a slight possession edge at 50.8%. Both squads have managed four shot attempts, with one apiece on goal.
Ronaldo Webster of Jamaica did earn a yellow card in the 35th minute.
With a spot in the World Cup on the line, Congo has looked lively in the opening 15 minutes, taking two shots, one requiring a save from Jamaica golakeeper Andre Blake.
The match is underway in Guadalajara with a World Cup spot on the line.
Congo players thought they the back of the net in the opening minutes but the goal was called back.
Congo is the higher ranked team with the deeper squad and fresher legs. All those factors should give the edge to the Leopards.
Prediction: Congo 2, Jamaica 0
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