Yoane Wissa
The squad's headline attacker. A direct, two-footed Premier League forward at Newcastle United who can play through the middle or off the left, Wissa is the player opponents will plan around.
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Team Profile · 2026 World Cup
DR Congo: The Leopards Are Back
For the first time since 1974, when they played as Zaire, DR Congo are back at the World Cup. Sebastien Desabre's Leopards qualified the hard way: runners-up in CAF Group B, past Nigeria on penalties in the African play-off, then a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off, settled by Axel Tuanzebe deep in extra time. Now comes a brutal Group K draw against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, taken on by a squad scattered across the best leagues in Europe.
52
Years Since Last World Cup
2nd
World Cup Appearance
K
Group at 2026
26
Players in the Squad
First World Cup in 52 years. DR Congo last appeared in 1974 as Zaire. They return in 2026 under French coach Sebastien Desabre, having beaten Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off. This page covers the qualification run, the full 26-man squad by position, the Group K opponents, and DR Congo's three group-stage fixtures.
The Road Back
How DR Congo qualified after 52 years
DR Congo's return to the World Cup is the story of a side that refused to lose at every elimination point along the way.
In the African qualifiers, the Leopards were drawn into CAF Group B with Senegal, Sudan, Togo, South Sudan and Mauritania. They finished second behind Senegal, which sent them into the continental play-off rather than straight to the finals.
There they met Nigeria. After a 1-1 draw across the African play-off final, DR Congo held their nerve in the shootout and won 4-3 on penalties, knocking out one of the continent's heavyweight names and booking a place in the intercontinental play-off.
The final hurdle was Jamaica, played in Guadalajara. The match was settled in the 100th minute, when defender Axel Tuanzebe forced home the only goal deep in extra time to win it 1-0 and end a 52-year absence. DR Congo's only previous World Cup was 1974 in West Germany, when the nation competed as Zaire.
The Difference Makers
The players who carry DR Congo
Desabre's squad is built almost entirely on players plying their trade in Europe. These are the names most likely to decide whether the Leopards can spring a surprise in Group K.
Chancel Mbemba
The captain and defensive leader. A vastly experienced centre-back, formerly of Marseille and now at Lille, Mbemba marshals a back line that has become the foundation of this team.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
One of the finest one-on-one defenders in the Premier League. The West Ham full-back's recovery pace and tackling give DR Congo elite quality at right-back against the pace of Portugal and Colombia.
Ngal'ayel Mukau
A rising engine in midfield. The young Lille midfielder gives Desabre legs and progressive passing in the centre, the kind of profile a team needs to survive against stronger opposition.
Cédric Bakambu
The experienced goalscorer. A well-travelled striker now at Real Betis, Bakambu is one of DR Congo's all-time leading scorers and the squad's reference point in the box.
Axel Tuanzebe
The play-off hero. The Burnley defender scored the extra-time goal against Jamaica that sent DR Congo to the finals, capping a long road back from injuries earlier in his career.
The Squad
DR Congo's 2026 squad by position
Sebastien Desabre named a 26-man squad weighted heavily towards Europe-based players, with three goalkeepers, a deep group of nine defenders, a large midfield pool and four senior forwards. Clubs are shown alongside each name.
Goalkeepers
3 in the squad
- Matthieu EpoloStandard Liège
- Lionel MpasiLe Havre
- Timothy FayuluFC Noah
Defenders
9 in the squad
- Chancel MbembaCaptain
- Aaron Wan-BissakaWest Ham
- Axel TuanzebeBurnley
- Arthur MasuakuLens
- Joris KayembeGenk
- Gedeon KaluluAris Limassol
- Dylan BatubinsikaLarisa
- Steve KapuadiWidzew Łódź
- Aaron TshibolaKilmarnock
Midfielders
10 in the squad
- Noah SadikiSunderland
- Edo KayembeWatford
- Ngal'ayel MukauLille
- Charles PickelEspanyol
- Samuel MoutoussamyAtromitos
- Gaël KakutaLarisa
- Théo BongondaSpartak Moscow
- Meshack EliaAlanyaspor
- Nathanael MbukuMontpellier
- Brian CipengaCD Castellón
Forwards
4 in the squad
- Yoane WissaNewcastle
- Cédric BakambuReal Betis
- Fiston MayelePyramids FC
- Simon BanzaAl Jazira
Note: squads can change up to FIFA's final registration deadline through injury or late replacement. This page reflects Sebastien Desabre's named selection as reported around the squad announcement.
Group K
The group: Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan
There were no soft landings for DR Congo in the draw. Group K pairs them with a European heavyweight, a South American contender and a debutant.
- Portugal. The group's biggest name and a perennial dark horse for the trophy, with depth and quality across the pitch. DR Congo open against them, the hardest possible start.
- Colombia. A high-quality South American side that reached the latter stages of the most recent Copa America. A serious obstacle to any qualification hopes.
- Uzbekistan. Making their first ever World Cup appearance, and on paper DR Congo's most winnable fixture. The closing match against Uzbekistan in Atlanta may decide whether the Leopards can reach the knockout rounds.
With the expanded 48-team format, the best four third-placed teams across the groups also advance, which keeps DR Congo's path to the round of 32 alive even in a demanding group. You can see how the full group shapes up on our Group K page.
The Fixtures
DR Congo's group-stage schedule
DR Congo play all three group games across the United States and Mexico. Their opener against Portugal is in Houston, six days after the tournament kicks off.
17 Jun 2026
Portugal vs DR Congo
Houston, Texas
23 Jun 2026
Colombia vs DR Congo
Guadalajara, Mexico
27 Jun 2026
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
Atlanta, Georgia
The 2026 World Cup as a whole runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Full kickoff times for every nation are on the match schedule.
Reading the Team
What to expect from the Leopards
Taken together, the squad and the draw point to a clear identity for Desabre's DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup:
- Built from the back. With Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, defence is the strength. DR Congo will look to stay compact and dangerous on the counter rather than dominate possession against Portugal and Colombia.
- European-hardened. Almost the entire squad plays in Europe, from the Premier League to Ligue 1 and La Liga. There is no gulf in club level for these players, which matters against bigger national teams.
- A clear target match. The fixture against Uzbekistan in Atlanta looms as the one DR Congo will believe they can win, and possibly the one that decides their tournament.
- Belief from the journey. A team that beat Nigeria on penalties and won a play-off in the 100th minute arrives with momentum and a hardened mentality.
- Goals are the question. With only four recognised forwards named, the burden up front falls on Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu to convert the chances a counter-attacking side will create.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
Have DR Congo qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. DR Congo qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the intercontinental play-off, beating Jamaica 1-0 in Guadalajara after a goal from defender Axel Tuanzebe in the 100th minute of extra time. It is their first World Cup since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
When did DR Congo last play at a World Cup?
DR Congo last appeared at the World Cup in 1974 in West Germany, when the nation was known as Zaire. The 2026 tournament is their second appearance overall and their first in 52 years.
Who is DR Congo's head coach for the 2026 World Cup?
French coach Sébastien Desabre leads DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup. He guided the Leopards to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and then through the qualifying and play-off run that ended their long World Cup absence.
What group are DR Congo in at the 2026 World Cup?
DR Congo are in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. It is a demanding draw, with Portugal and Colombia both among the tournament's stronger sides and Uzbekistan making their World Cup debut.
When is DR Congo's first match at the 2026 World Cup?
DR Congo open their campaign against Portugal on 17 June 2026 in Houston, Texas. They then face Colombia on 23 June in Guadalajara, Mexico, and close the group against Uzbekistan on 27 June in Atlanta, Georgia.
How did DR Congo qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
DR Congo finished as runners-up to Senegal in CAF Group B, then won the African play-off, edging Nigeria on penalties (4-3) after a 1-1 draw. That sent them to the intercontinental play-off, where they beat Jamaica 1-0 to claim a World Cup place.
Who is DR Congo's captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Chancel Mbemba, the Lille and former Marseille centre-back, captains DR Congo. He anchors a defence that also features Premier League names Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.
Who are DR Congo's key players for the 2026 World Cup?
The standout names are Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, captain and centre-back Chancel Mbemba, West Ham full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Lille midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau. Veteran striker Cédric Bakambu adds experience up front.
What is DR Congo's nickname?
DR Congo are known as the Leopards (Les Léopards). The side is run by the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association and draws most of its squad from clubs across Europe's leagues.
How many players in DR Congo's squad play in Europe?
The large majority of Sébastien Desabre's squad is based in Europe, across England, France, Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Russia, with a handful of players at clubs in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Keep Reading
More 2026 World Cup coverage
DR Congo are one of 48 nations heading to the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:
Group K
The full Group K breakdown: DR Congo, Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, with fixtures and qualification odds.
See the group ›England Squad
Thomas Tuchel's official 26-man England squad, the headline omissions and the surprise call-ups.
Read the squad ›Superstars to Watch
The top players going to the 2026 World Cup across all 48 nations and 16 host cities.
View the list ›Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures across 16 host cities, with kickoff times you can filter to your team.
Open the schedule ›Own the Domain of the Tournament
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Sources
Where this page comes from
This page is independent editorial built from the following public reporting on DR Congo's 2026 World Cup campaign:
- FIFA: Congo DR team profile and history
- beIN Sports: Sébastien Desabre's official DR Congo squad
- Olympics.com: Extra-time goal sees DR Congo return to the World Cup
- CAFonline: DR Congo edge Nigeria on penalties to reach the inter-confederation play-off
- Fox Sports: DR Congo World Cup 2026 schedule, locations and dates