Everything you need to know about DR Congo at the World Cup

Les Léopards have returned to the World Cup stage for the first time in quite a while. You’ll have to go back 52 years and another name for the country for the DR Congo’s previous appearance as Zaire in the 1974 World Cup, the first sub-Saharan African team to do so. That’s about where the achievement ended, though, as they went scoreless in the tournament, losing all three matches and equaling the record margin of defeat with a 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia.

52 years (and some narrow misses) later, and the Congolese are back on the world stage. After a strong qualification cycle, DR Congo finished second to Senegal, requiring them to overcome Cameroon and Nigeria (in penalties) to earn a spot in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. There, they defeated Jamaica 1-0 after extra time to book their spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Due to the recent outbreak of Ebola in the country, the team has only recently arrived to their Houston base after a 21 day quarantine, and did so in style. Can the Leopards, who will close out their group stage in Atlanta, show that same style on the pitch in their return to the World Cup?

Quick facts on DR Congo

Manager: Sébastian Desabre

Captain: Chancel Mbemba

World Cup appearances: 1974, 2026

Best World Cup finish: Group Stage (1974)

DR Congo’s World Cup group stage matches

vs. Portugal: June 17 at 1 p.m. EST – Houston
vs. Colombia: Jun 23 at 10 p.m. EST – Guadalajara
vs. Uzbekistan: June 27 at 7:30 p.m. EST – Atlanta

DR Congo’s final 26-man World Cup roster

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)

DR Congo’s Group K outlook

Les Léopards didn’t take the easy road to get here, and they won’t have an easy road out. Group K is split into two definite tiers, with Portugal and Colombia expected to finish in the top two positions. With the expanded tournament adding third place qualifications to the knockout rounds, there’s still a chance for either Uzbekistan or DR Congo to make it out. It’ll come down to who can win on June 27th in Atlanta while also keeping goals out against the other two.

DR Congo’s knockout stage outlook

Should they make it through as a third place side in Group K, DR Congo would then face the winners of Group L in the Round of 32 at Atlanta Stadium on July 1st. Group L includes the likes of England and Croatia, who would be an extremely difficult task to overcome.

Three DR Congo players you should know

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Born in Croydon, England, the longtime Premier League right back represented both England and DR Congo in youth national team setups. He was even called up to the England squad in 2019, but left due to injury, leaving his senior team status free. In 2025, he switched eligibility to DR Congo, and has since been a mainstay to guide them through the multiple phases of qualification.

Yoane Wissa

Another player found playing in the Premier League, 29 year old Yoane Wissa scored 49 goals for Brentford before a move to Newcastle last season, where an injury marred season limited his minutes and contributions. Wissa has 8 goals and 7 assists for his national team, and has the versatility to play anywhere in attack. Per the Athletic, Newcastle are already looking to move on from the forward, but a big World Cup could boost his club career stock and earn him a solid landing spot.

Cedric Bakambu

The oldest player on the DR Congo roster at 35 years old, Bakambu plays in La Liga for Real Betis and is a center forward for the team. The veteran has 69 senior appearances and 21 goals for his national team, and is closing in on the DR Congo’s goalscoring record of 22 goals, set by Dieumerci Mbokani. Bakambu notched four goals and three assists in CAF qualifying, and scored against eventual finalists Senegal in December’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

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