The Confederation of African Football has selected Moroccan official Jalal Jayed to officiate the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The decisive fixture, scheduled to take place in Rabat, will determine which team advances to the intercontinental playoff stage as both nations push for a place at the global tournament.
According to Gossip News Now, Jayed is not unfamiliar with Nigeria’s national team. The referee previously handled their qualifying encounter against Rwanda earlier in the campaign.
During that match, the Super Eagles secured a convincing 2–0 victory in Kigali, with striker Victor Osimhen scoring both goals to lead Nigeria to an important win.
For Sunday’s encounter, Jayed will be supported by an experienced officiating crew drawn from across North Africa.
The match officials assigned to assist him include:
- Mustapha Akarkad – Assistant Referee
- Zakaria Bernissi – Assistant Referee
- Mahrez El Malki (Tunisia) – Fourth Official
In addition, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be supervised by Lahlou Benbraham of Algeria, with Tunisia’s Haitham Guirat serving as assistant VAR.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad received encouraging news ahead of the crucial clash.
Midfield anchor Wilfred Ndidi has been cleared to participate in the final after earlier uncertainty regarding his eligibility.
The midfielder had initially appeared to face suspension following a booking in Nigeria’s previous match against Gabon, but the Confederation of African Football later confirmed that he remains eligible for selection.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong welcomed the development, explaining that the squad was relieved by the clarification.
He noted that having a key player like Ndidi available adds depth and stability to the team’s midfield as they prepare for a challenging opponent.
Ndidi played an influential role in Nigeria’s 4–1 victory over Gabon, where he contributed an assist for Osimhen’s third goal during the dominant performance.
Looking ahead to the showdown with DR Congo, Troost-Ekong acknowledged that the encounter would be far from straightforward.
He stressed that both teams have worked hard to reach the playoff final and will be determined to secure victory.
Nigeria progressed to the match after comfortably overcoming Gabon, while Congo produced a surprise result by defeating Cameroon to reach the final stage of the qualifiers.
The captain also pointed out that Congo’s style of play differs from many other African teams, which means Nigeria must remain tactically flexible.
He added that the players understand the importance of the match and are fully focused on delivering a performance that can send them to the next stage of the qualification process.
Kickoff for the highly anticipated contest is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, with fans across Africa closely watching the outcome.
Commentary and Analysis
The appointment of Jalal Jayed reflects CAF’s intention to ensure experienced officiating for a match of such high stakes.
World Cup playoff encounters often come with intense pressure, as a single result can determine a nation’s path to football’s biggest tournament.
For Nigeria, the return of Wilfred Ndidi could prove crucial. His presence in midfield offers defensive stability and allows attacking players greater freedom to create chances.
At the same time, DR Congo’s impressive victory over Cameroon suggests they are capable of upsetting stronger opponents.
As a result, analysts expect a tightly contested game in Rabat, where tactical discipline and mental resilience could ultimately determine which side keeps its World Cup dream alive.
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