After over half a century of waiting, Congo DR has officially secured its return to the world stage, ending 52 years of frustration with a dramatic play-off victory in Guadalajara.
The Leopards punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on March 31, 2026, after a tense 1-0 extra-time win over Jamaica in the Path A final.
Coach Sébastien Desabre, who took charge in August 2022, has fulfilled his ambitious promise to return the nation to the tournament for the first time since 1974.
Spearheaded by a “golden generation” including Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, and veteran striker Cédric Bakambu, the squad has developed a fierce new identity under the 49-year-old Frenchman.
Desabre, a respected tactician who notably never played professionally, earned the fans’ trust following an impressive semi-final run during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The challenge ahead is formidable, as Congo DR has been drawn into Group K alongside heavyweights Portugal and Colombia, as well as fellow rising side Uzbekistan.
The Leopards will open their campaign against Portugal at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 17, a match that will test their defensive resolve against elite European opposition.
They then travel to Zapopan for a high-stakes encounter with Colombia on June 23, before concluding the group stage against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on June 27.
Ranked 56th in the latest FIFA standings, Congo DR is widely considered the “dark horse” of the group, bolstered by massive support from across the African continent.
Congo DR’s World Cup 2026 fixtures
17 June: Portugal vs Congo DR – Houston Stadium
23 June: Colombia vs Congo DR – Guadalajara Stadium
27 June: Congo DR vs Uzbekistan – Atlanta Stadium
The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching, do you believe Sébastien Desabre’s tactical discipline can inspire Congo DR to survive the “Group of Death” and reach the knockout rounds for the first time?