Tuesday Jun 02, 2026. 12:00
DR Congo will be appearing at their second FIFA World Cup, and returning to the global tournament after an absence of 52 years – they made their debut way back in 1974 when the nation was still known as Zaire.
Coached by Sebastien Desabre, the Leopards secured qualification by defeating Jamaica 1-0 in Mexico in the inter-confederation playoffs, having earlier finished runners-up to Senegal in Group B of the CAF region, followed by dramatic triumphs over heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria in the playoffs for the best second-placed teams.
DR Congo’s captain is the vastly-experienced defender Chancel Mbemba, while their squad also boasts the likes of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, fullbacks Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, attacking midfielder Meschak Elia, versatile forward Yoane Wissa, and striker Cedric Bakambu.
Nickname: The Leopards
Previous World Cup appearances: 1 (1974)
Best World Cup performance: Group stage (1974)
World Cup record: P3 W0 D0 L3 GF0 GA14
2026 Qualification record (including playoffs): P13 W9 D2 L2 GF18 GA7
2026 World Cup fixtures (Group K, times CAT)
– Portugal v DR Congo, Wednesday 17 June, 19:00
– Colombia v DR Congo, Wednesday 24 June, 04:00
– DR Congo v Uzbekistan, Sunday 28 June, 01:30
Head coach: Sebastien Desabre
Frenchman Sebastien Desabre took charge of DR Congo in 2022 and has since led them to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, the round of 16 in the 2025 edition of the same tournament, and World Cup qualification. Picking up the Leopards’ first-ever win at the global tournament will be the 49-year-old’s next ambition.
Captain: Chancel Mbemba
Defender Chancel Mbemba has racked up over 100 caps for the DR Congo national team and will be appearing at his seventh major tournament with the Leopards, adding to six Africa Cup of Nations. His outstanding club career has seen him feature for Anderlecht, Newcastle, Porto, Marseille and Lille.
Key player: Cedric Bakambu
An experienced and well-travelled (his club career has taken him to France, Spain, Turkey, China, Greece and the UAE) striker, Cedric Bakambu will spearhead DR Congo’s attack at the 2026 World Cup. He scored four times in World Cup qualifying and will hope to net the Leopards’ first-ever goal at the finals.