Congo DR at the FIFA World Cup: Team profile and history

Read through Congo DR's World Cup history, records and memorable moments. Follow their road to the tournament with the latest on their fixtures, group and coach.

• Congo DR secured a FIFA World Cup 2026 spot via the FIFA Play-Off Tournament
• Their fans have been waiting since 1974 for a return to the global finals
• Find out everything about the team and their connection to football’s greatest competition

Over half a century of eager anticipation turned to jubilation in Guadalajara on 31 March 2026. After seeing off a stubborn Jamaica side (1-0 a.e.t.) in the final of Path A of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament, Congo DR suddenly felt the weight of five decades of frustration lifted from their shoulders. The Leopards had been pursuing a return to the World Cup since 1974. Now they are ready to write a new chapter in the country's history at the greatest tournament of all.

With a golden generation at his disposal, spearheaded by Cedric Bakambu, Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku, coach Sebastien Desabre has succeeded in achieving his ambitious goals. Now the Congo DR squad will begin preparations for the formidable challenge awaiting them in Group K where they will face Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.

Congo DR coach: Sebastien Desabre

In his second spell in charge of an African national side, having spent 18 months with Uganda between 2017 and 2019, Desabre will now get to experience the thrill of a World Cup finals. Four years after leaving club side Chamois Niortais to take charge of the Leopards, the 49-year-old Frenchman achieved a feat that is being celebrated across the African continent.

When he was appointed coach of Congo DR in August 2022, the Valence-born tactician set some ambitious objectives: “Our goals are to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and to take part in the World Cup 2026.”

During his first few months in the position, the fans remained cautious, having been let down in the past. But by qualifying for AFCON 2023 (held at the start of 2024) Desabre was able to slowly earn the trust of the fanbase. The tournament was a defining moment and his side’s impressive run to the semi-finals helped to instil a strong identity, one which was quickly adopted by a squad that believed in his methods.

Desabre honed his style of play during spells in charge of club sides ES Cannet Rocheville, Dubai CSC, ES Tunis and Wydad AC. Unlike the majority of his counterparts at the World Cup, Desabre never played the game professionally, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of Africa’s most respected coaches.

Congo DR's World Cup 2026 fixtures and group

• 17 June: Portugal v Congo DR - Houston Stadium
• 23 June: Colombia v Congo DR - Guadalajara Stadium
• 27 June: Congo DR v Uzbekistan - Atlanta Stadium

Explore hospitality packages for Congo DR's FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches

Full World Cup 2026 match schedule

How Congo DR qualified for World Cup 2026

Having narrowly missed out on qualifying for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, the Leopards have continued to develop and their efforts have finally been rewarded with a place at World Cup 2026. In the final of the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, they overcame Jamaica (1-0 a.e.t.) thanks to an opportunistic strike from Axel Tuanzebe, who beat the Caribbean defence during a corner kick.

A place in the intercontinental tournament was their reward for a strong African qualification campaign. Drawn in Group B, Congo DR came close to beating Senegal to first place and automatic qualification. But despite taking a 2-0 lead in the deciding match in Kinshasa, Bakambu and his team-mates ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat.

As one of the four best second-placed teams in the CAF zone, Desabre’s men progressed to the African play-offs. In the semi-final, Mbemba sent an entire nation into raptures with a goal in the dying moments against Cameroon (1-0). Then, in the final against Nigeria, Congo DR maintained their composure in a tense penalty shootout to claim victory (1-1 a.e.t., 4-3 on penalties).

This result earned them a place in the Play-Off Tournament in Mexico, where they showed great determination to finally win through.

Congo DR's World Cup history

• Confederation: CAF
• Best World Cup: 1974 (Group stage)
• Last World Cup: 1974 (Group stage)
• First World Cup: 1974 (Group stage)
• World Cup appearances: 1 (1974)
• Overall World Cup record: P3 W0 D0 L3 F0 A14

Congo DR's first World Cup

Until 1997, Congo DR was known as Zaire, and it was under this name that the country competed in its first World Cup. In 1974, the football world converged on West Germany, where the central African nation were the continent’s sole representative. During qualification, the Leopards overcame Morocco and Zambia to become just the third African country to play in the World Cup, following in the footsteps of Egypt and Morocco.

They were given their first taste of the elite level with a challenging set of fixtures in Group II. Having lost their opening match to a more experienced Scotland side (2-0), they then fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Yugoslavia (9-0). While many expected them to suffer a similar fate against reigning champions Brazil, the Africans delivered a courageous performance, losing 3-0 against Jairzinho and co.

The failure to score a single goal at their global finals debut means that Bakambu, Yoane Wissa and the others will have the chance to write their name in the history books this by becoming the country’s first World Cup goalscorer.

Congo DR players with the most World Cup appearances

At West Germany 1974, the Leopards’ only appearance at the World Cup, 18 players featured in the group-stage matches, and ten took part in all three games: Lobilo Boba, Muepu Ilunga, Kembo Uba Kembo, Mayanga Maku, Mana Mambuené, Kidumu Mantantu, Kilasu Massamba, Kazadi Muamba, Mwanza Nel Mukombo and Buanga Tshimen.