DR Congo national football team has officially announced its 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the nation’s return to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 52 years.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo — then known as Zaire — previously appeared at the World Cup in 1974, where the team lost all three group-stage matches and finished with a goal difference of 0-14. Now, more than five decades later, the Leopards return determined to secure their first-ever World Cup victory.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre unveiled the squad earlier today, led by captain Chancel Mbemba. The 31-year-old defender is not only the team’s leader but also the country’s all-time appearance holder with 107 caps.
Another major figure in the squad is striker Cédric Bakambu. The Real Betis forward has scored 21 international goals and sits just one behind DR Congo’s all-time leading scorer, Dieumerci Mbokani.
The squad also includes several internationally recognized players, such as Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United, Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham United, and Axel Tuanzebe of Burnley FC.
DR Congo’s route to qualification was among the most dramatic of the African campaign. Drawn alongside Senegal national football team, Sudan national football team, South Sudan national football team, Togo national football team, and Mauritania national football team, the Leopards finished second behind Senegal, only two points off top spot.
As the second-best runner-up across the nine African qualification groups, DR Congo advanced to a special four-team playoff tournament in Morocco. Mbemba delivered a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Cameroon national football team to send the Leopards into the playoff final against Nigeria national football team.
After a tense 1-1 draw that lasted 120 minutes, the match was decided by penalties. Once again, Mbemba stepped forward and converted the decisive kick to keep DR Congo’s World Cup dream alive.
Qualification was still not secured, however, as the Leopards advanced to the inter-confederation playoffs in Mexico earlier this year. Ranked among the top two teams in the FIFA standings entering the playoffs, DR Congo received a direct bye to the final. There, they faced Jamaica national football team for a place at the World Cup.
With the match scoreless after 90 minutes, extra time was needed. In the 100th minute, Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal that sealed DR Congo’s first World Cup qualification since 1974.
The Leopards will compete in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their tournament begins on June 17 in Houston against Portugal national football team. Six days later, they travel to Guadalajara to face Colombia national football team. DR Congo’s final group-stage match takes place on June 27 in Atlanta against tournament debutants Uzbekistan national football team.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage as DR Congo looks to make history once again on the world stage.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège), Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah)
Defenders: Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Dylan Batubinsika (AEL)
Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Brian Cipenga(Castellón), Gaël Kakuta (AEL), Théo Bongonda(Spartak Moscow)
Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis)