DR Congo
The DR Congo National Team, founded in 1919 and governed by the Congolese Association Football Federation, is one of Africa’s proud historic football nations. Best known as the first sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and as a two-time Africa Cup of Nations champion, DR Congo is admired for its resilience, passion, and rich football tradition, continuing to carry the legacy of the Leopards onto the international stage.
Explore the official DR Congo National Team squad and get a clear overview of every player selected for the tournament. Discover the key details behind the stars, rising talents, and core squad members who shape the team’s World Cup 2026 campaign.
Chancel Mbemba Mangulu
Defender
Aug 8, 1994
Edouard Kayembe Kayembe
Midfielder
Jun 3, 1998
Cédric Bakambu
Attacker
Apr 11, 1991
Meschack Elia Lina
Midfielder
Aug 6, 1997
Théo Bongonda Mbul'Ofeko Batomboat
Midfielder
Nov 20, 1995
Fuka-Arthur Masuaku Kawela
Defender
Nov 7, 1993
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Defender
Nov 26, 1997
Axel Tuanzebe
Defender
Nov 14, 1997
Yoane Wissa
Attacker
Sep 3, 1996
Simon Bokoté Banza
Attacker
Aug 13, 1996
Joris Kayembe Ditu
Defender
Aug 8, 1994
Samuel Moutoussamy
Midfielder
Aug 12, 1996
Lionel Mpasi-Nzau
Goalkeeper
Aug 1, 1994
Charles Monginda Pickel
Midfielder
May 15, 1997
Nathanaël Mbuku
Midfielder
Mar 16, 2002
Fiston Kalala Mayele
Attacker
Jun 24, 1994
Brian Kibambe Cipenga
Attacker
Mar 11, 1998
Matthieu Luka Epolo
Goalkeeper
Jan 15, 2005
Noah Junior Sadiki
Midfielder
Dec 17, 2004
Ngal'ayel Mukau
Midfielder
Nov 3, 2004
Meet the DR Congo National Team coaching staff, who play a vital role in preparing the squad for success on the international stage. Working behind the scenes, they support the team’s tactical development, physical conditioning, match preparation, and overall performance throughout World Cup 2026.
Sébastien Serge Louis Desabre
Birthday:
Aug 2, 1976
Nationality:
France
Otis N'Goma Kondi
Birthday:
Dec 22, 1965
Nationality:
Congo
Explore the latest DR Congo matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and stay updated on results, key moments, and standout player performances from every game.
Congo DR vs Jamaica
1 : 0
Mar 31, 2026 • World Cup - Qualification Intercontinental Play-offs
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Congo DR vs Bermuda
2 : 0
Mar 25, 2026 • Friendlies
Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
Algeria vs Congo DR
1 : 0
Jan 6, 2026 • Africa Cup of Nations
Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat
Botswana vs Congo DR
0 : 3
Dec 30, 2025 • Africa Cup of Nations
Al-Barid Stadium, Rabat
Senegal vs Congo DR
1 : 1
Dec 27, 2025 • Africa Cup of Nations
Stade Ibn-Batouta, Tanger
Congo DR vs Benin
1 : 0
Dec 23, 2025 • Africa Cup of Nations
Al-Barid Stadium, Rabat
Congo DR vs Zambia
2 : 0
Dec 16, 2025 • Friendlies
Nigeria vs Congo DR
1 : 1
Nov 16, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Africa
Stade Prince Moulay Hassan, Rabat
Cameroon vs Congo DR
0 : 1
Nov 13, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Africa
Al Barid Stadium, Rabat
Congo DR vs Sudan
1 : 0
Oct 14, 2025 • World Cup - Qualification Africa
Stade des Martyrs, Kinshasa
DR Congo qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through three stages: the CAF group stage, the CAF play-offs, and the inter-confederation playoff. They finished second in CAF Group B with 22 points from 10 matches, recording 7 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, with 15 goals scored and 6 conceded. That was not enough for direct qualification, so they advanced to the CAF play-offs in Morocco. There, DR Congo beat Cameroon 1–0 in the semi-final and then defeated Nigeria after a 1–1 draw, winning 4–3 on penalties in the final. They sealed qualification on March 31, 2026, beating Jamaica 1–0 after extra time in the inter-confederation playoff.
Played
Qualification matches played
Won
Matches won
Drawn
Matches drawn
Lost
Matches lost
Goals For
Total goals scored
Goals Against
Total goals conceded
Goal Difference
GF minus GA
Points
3 per win, 1 per draw
Road to WC
Match | Date | MatchUp | Stadium | City | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nov 15, 2023 | Congo DR vs Mauritania | Stade des Martyrs | Kinshasa | 2:0 |
2 | Nov 19, 2023 | Sudan vs Congo DR | Martyrs of February Stadium | Benghazi | 1:0 |
3 | Jun 6, 2024 | Senegal vs Congo DR | Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade | Diamniadio | 1:1 |
4 | Jun 9, 2024 | Congo DR vs Togo | Stade des Martyrs | Kinshasa | 1:0 |
5 | Mar 21, 2025 | Congo DR vs South Sudan | Stade des Martyrs | Kinshasa | 1:0 |
6 | Mar 25, 2025 | Mauritania vs Congo DR | Nouadhibou Municipal Stadium | Nouadhibou | 0:2 |
7 | Sep 5, 2025 | South Sudan vs Congo DR | Juba Stadium | Juba | 1:4 |
8 | Sep 9, 2025 | Congo DR vs Senegal | Stade des Martyrs | Kinshasa | 2:3 |
9 | Oct 10, 2025 | Togo vs Congo DR | 0:1 | ||
10 | Oct 14, 2025 | Congo DR vs Sudan | Stade des Martyrs | Kinshasa | 1:0 |
11 | Nov 13, 2025 | Cameroon vs Congo DR | Al Barid Stadium | Rabat | 0:1 |
12 | Nov 16, 2025 | Nigeria vs Congo DR | Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium | Rabat | 1:1 |
13 | Mar 31, 2026 | Congo DR vs Jamaica | Guadalajara Stadium | Zapopan | 1:0 |
DR Congo’s World Cup history is shaped by a long wait, a dramatic return, and one of the tournament’s most unusual early chapters. The nation’s first appearance came in 1974, when it competed as Zaire, becoming the first sub-Saharan African team to reach the World Cup. That debut remains historically significant, even though the campaign itself was painful and is often remembered for the heavy defeat to Yugoslavia and the infamous free-kick incident involving Mwepu Ilunga.
A new and far more uplifting chapter arrived in 2026, when DR Congo qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1974. The decisive moment came on March 31, 2026, when Axel Tuanzebe scored an extra-time winner in a 1–0 victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara, sealing one of the biggest achievements in the country’s modern football history. From the troubled memories of 1974 to the emotional breakthrough of 2026, DR Congo’s World Cup story is now one of resilience, renewal, and historic return.
DR Congo have qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice: first in 1974 as Zaire, and again for 2026. The 2026 qualification ended a 52-year absence from the tournament.
DR Congo’s best World Cup finish is the group stage, reached in 1974 during their only completed appearance so far.
DR Congo’s all-time top scorer is Dieumerci Mbokani with 22 goals. Among current players, Cédric Bakambu is close behind with 21 goals.
Chancel Mbemba holds the record for the most appearances for DR Congo, with 106 caps. His longevity has made him one of the central figures of the team’s modern era.
In 1974, DR Congo, then competing as Zaire, became the first sub-Saharan African nation to play at a FIFA World Cup. Their return in 2026 created another landmark by bringing the country back to the global stage for the first time in over half a century.
Follow DR Congo at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and discover where the team will play throughout the tournament. Explore the full match schedule, host cities, and stadiums set to stage some of the competition’s biggest moments. From group-stage fixtures to possible knockout-round drama, find everything you need to experience the action live at football’s biggest event.
DR Congo has appeared at the FIFA World Cup once before 2026 — in 1974 (as Zaire).
DR Congo has never reached a World Cup final before 2026.
DR Congo’s only previous appearance (1974) ended in the group stage.
DR Congo’s best finish is the group stage (1974).
DR Congo’s worst finish is also the group stage (1974), since that’s their only World Cup before 2026.
Commonly recognized regional rivals include Congo Republic and Angola, shaped by geography and frequent competitive meetings.
DR Congo qualified by winning an inter-confederation play-off, beating Jamaica to book their return to the finals for the first time since 1974.
DR Congo’s group-stage venues are set for Houston, Guadalajara, and Atlanta. They play Portugal in Houston on June 17, 2026, then face Colombia in Guadalajara on June 23, 2026, and finish against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27, 2026.
The no 1 marketplace in the world
Ticombo® is now the most followed of all reselling platforms in Europe. Thank you!
Seal of Excellence by EU Commission
Ticombo GmbH (parent company) is recognized under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding program for its proposal No. 782393.
As seen on the news
