DR Congo at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

DR Congo's sole previous World Cup appearance came in 1974 under the name Zaire, making them the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in the tournament. That campaign ended without a point: they lost 0-2 to Scotland, 0-9 to Yugoslavia, and 0-3 to Brazil. The 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia remains one of the heaviest losses in World Cup history. Zaire won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1968 and had qualified as African champions in 1974. The 2026 tournament is their return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.

Qualification

DR Congo qualified through a lengthy multi-stage route. They finished second in CAF Group B (behind Senegal), then advanced through the CAF playoffs by defeating Cameroon 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal from captain Chancel Mbemba. They then beat Nigeria in the CAF playoff final to reach the inter-confederation play-off. At that stage, they defeated Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in the final match, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the only goal in the 100th minute. DR Congo were confirmed as the 48th and final team to qualify for the 2026 tournament.

Preparation

DR Congo's preparation was disrupted by an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, forcing cancellation of a planned Kinshasa camp. They relocated to Liege, observed a 21-day isolation, drew 0-0 with Denmark (3 June) and lost 1-2 to Chile in Orleans behind closed doors (9 June) before flying to Houston on 11 June. In their World Cup debut on 17 June, DR Congo drew 1-1 with Portugal: Joao Neves headed Portugal ahead (6'), but Yoane Wissa equalised at 45+5' to score the Leopards' first-ever World Cup goal. In matchday 2 on 23 June at Guadalajara, Colombia won 1-0 through Daniel Munoz's deflected strike (76'). In matchday 3 on 27 June at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, DR Congo came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1: Eldor Shomurodov put Uzbekistan ahead (10') before Wissa's penalty (68'), Fiston Mayele (78'), and a late Wissa curler (90+1') completed the comeback. DR Congo finished third in Group K on four points and advanced to the last 32 for the first time in their history. In the round of 32 on 1 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead in the 7th minute, but Harry Kane equalised with a header (75') and struck a late winner (86') to send England through 2-1. DR Congo's World Cup run ends in the round of 32, the best result in the country's history.

Latest news

Desabre reflects with pride on historic run despite England elimination

· general

After the 1-2 loss to England, coach Sebastien Desabre said 'We are disappointed because we believed in it, I think we played a good match.' He added the team 'fought in the image of the Congolese people' and that the squad gained valuable experience against one of the world's best players, Harry Kane. He said DR Congo will 'learn and keep progressing, continuing the path calmly.'

DR Congo eliminated 1-2 by England in round of 32 despite early Cipenga lead

· matches

DR Congo's historic run ended in the round of 32 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Brian Cipenga put the Leopards ahead in the 7th minute, but Harry Kane equalised with a header (75') from Anthony Gordon's cross and scored a late winner (86') to complete England's comeback. Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi made several key saves to keep DR Congo in it late on, in the country's best-ever World Cup result.

DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to reach round of 32 for first time; face England on 1 July

· matches

DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 from 0-1 down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, in Group K matchday 3. Eldor Shomurodov scored first (10'); Yoane Wissa equalised from the penalty spot after a Khusanov foul (68'), Fiston Mayele made it 2-1 (78'), Wissa adding a long-range curl (90+1'). DR Congo finish third on four points and reach the last 32 for the first time, facing England on 1 July in Atlanta.

DR Congo lose 0-1 to Colombia; Mpasi heroics not enough as Munoz deflection decides Group K tie

· matches

Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 in Group K at Estadio Guadalajara. Daniel Munoz's deflected shot beat Mpasi in the 76th minute; Mpasi made five saves in the opening 20 minutes, the most in that spell at a World Cup since 1998. Luis Diaz had two goals ruled out. DR Congo stay third on one point and must beat Uzbekistan on 27 June in Atlanta to advance as a best third-placed side.

Desabre and players target knockout stage after historic Portugal draw

· general

Coach Desabre said 'our goal is to advance from the group; one point alone is not enough.' Wissa: 'We must win the next match.' Pickel praised the team's resilience after conceding early. Moutoussamy: 'We play for the entire country.' Mukau: 'We came to write our history.' DR Congo face Colombia on 23 June in Zapopan.

DR Congo draw 1-1 with Portugal in World Cup opener; Wissa scores country's first-ever World Cup goal

· matches

DR Congo earned their first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw against Portugal in Group K at NRG Stadium, Houston (att. 68,777). Joao Neves headed Portugal ahead (6'); Yoane Wissa equalised with a header from Arthur Masuaku's cross (45+5') to score DR Congo's first-ever World Cup goal. Bakambu hit the post; Ronaldo missed several chances as DR Congo were more threatening in the second half.

Léopards arrive in Houston after 21-day Ebola isolation; cleared for World Cup

· general

DR Congo's squad landed in Houston from Paris at around 14:30 local time on 11 June 2026, cleared US entry without incident after completing the 21-day isolation period required by US authorities. The delegation is based at the Omni Hotel in Houston and began final training sessions to acclimatise ahead of the 17 June opener against Portugal at NRG Stadium.

Léopards lose final World Cup warm-up 1-2 to Chile in Orléans, behind closed doors

· matches

DR Congo lost their final World Cup warm-up 1-2 to Chile on 9 June 2026 at the Stade de la Source in Orléans, France, after the fixture was relocated from Spain and played behind closed doors over Ebola concerns. Darío Osorio (51') and a Matías Sepúlveda free kick (86') put Chile clear before Joris Kayembe pulled one back (88'). The Léopards, short in attack, turn to the 17 June Portugal opener.

DR Congo–Chile warm-up kept on for 9 June, relocated to Málaga after Ebola ban

· matches

DR Congo's final World Cup warm-up against Chile will go ahead on 9 June in Málaga after being moved from La Línea de la Concepción, whose mayor Juan Franco signed a decree on 2 June banning the fixture over Ebola health concerns. The Congolese delegation, which observed health protocols, said the match remains on; the Léopards then fly to Houston ahead of the 17 June opener against Portugal.

Léopards arrive in Málaga to continue World Cup build-up after Denmark draw

· general

DR Congo's squad landed in Málaga, Spain, on 4 June to continue their World Cup preparation, a day after their 0-0 draw with Denmark in Liège. Sébastien Desabre's side will face Chile on 9 June in their second and final warm-up before flying to Houston on 11 June, where they open the tournament against Portugal on 17 June.

Léopards held to 0-0 by Denmark in Liège World Cup warm-up; Kapuadi debuts

· matches

DR Congo drew 0-0 with Denmark in their first World Cup warm-up at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège on 3 June 2026, in front of around 23,000 fans. Sébastien Desabre's side was disciplined defensively but lacked a cutting edge; Joris Kayembe went close late on. Centre-back Steve Kapuadi made his senior international debut and impressed. Next up is a friendly against Chile in Spain on 9 June.

Denmark friendly set for 3 June at Liège's Stade Maurice Dufrasne

· matches

DR Congo's first World Cup warm-up against Denmark is confirmed for 3 June 2026 at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne (Sclessin) in Liège, with over 17,000 tickets already sold. A second friendly follows against Chile on 9 June in Spain.

Léopards' Liège camp fills up; full 26-man group expected by 31 May

· general

By 30 May DR Congo's squad had gathered at the Liège training base under Sébastien Desabre, with the last arrivals trickling in: Aaron Wan-Bissaka after relegated West Ham's season, Théo Bongonda while finalising his Spartak Moscow exit, and Bryan Cipenga, held back by a Castellón league match, expected last on Sunday 31 May to complete the group.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Lionel MpasiGKLe Havre AC
Matthieu EpoloGKStandard Liège
Timothy FayuluGKFC Noah
Chancel MbembaDFLille
Aaron Wan-BissakaDFWest Ham United
Arthur MasuakuDFRC Lens
Gédéon KaluluDFAris Limassol
Joris KayembeDFKRC Genk
Axel TuanzebeDFBurnley
Aaron TshibolaDFKilmarnock
Steve KapuadiDFWidzew Lodz
Dylan BatubinsikaDFAEL Larissa
Noah SadikiMFSunderland
Charles PickelMFEspanyol
Edo KayembeMFWatford
Samuel MoutoussamyMFAtromitos
Ngal'ayel MukauMFLille
Nathanaël MbukuMFMontpellier
Meschak EliaMFAlanyaspor
Brian CipengaMFCastellón
Gaël KakutaMFAEL Larissa
Théo BongondaMFSpartak Moscow
Simon BanzaFWAl Jazira
Yoane WissaFWNewcastle United
Fiston MayeleFWPyramids FC
Cédric BakambuFWReal Betis

Recent results

  • 2023-11-15 — COD 2-0 MTN (qualification)
  • 2023-11-19 — SDN 1-0 COD (qualification)
  • 2024-01-06 — COD 0-0 ANG (friendly)
  • 2024-01-10 — COD 1-2 BFA (friendly)
  • 2024-06-06 — SEN 1-1 COD (qualification)
  • 2024-06-09 — COD 1-0 TOG (qualification)
  • 2025-03-21 — COD 1-0 SSD (qualification)
  • 2025-03-25 — MTN 0-2 COD (qualification)
  • 2025-06-05 — COD 1-0 MLI (friendly)
  • 2025-06-08 — COD 3-1 MAD (friendly)
  • 2025-09-05 — SSD 1-4 COD (qualification)
  • 2025-09-09 — COD 2-3 SEN (qualification)
  • 2025-10-10 — TOG 0-1 COD (qualification)
  • 2025-10-14 — COD 1-0 SDN (qualification)
  • 2025-11-13 — CMR 0-1 COD (qualification)
  • 2025-11-16 — NGA 1-1 COD (qualification)
  • 2026-03-25 — BER 0-2 COD (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — COD 1-0 JAM (qualification)
  • 2026-06-09 — COD 1-2 CHI (friendly)
  • 2026-06-17 — POR 1-1 COD (group)
  • 2026-06-23 — COL 1-0 COD (group)
  • 2026-06-27 — COD 3-1 UZB (group)
  • 2026-07-01 — ENG 2-1 COD (round_of_32)

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