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The DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad will be the first to participate in the finals since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
The Leopards earned 22 points in their World Cup 2026 qualification group but finished second behind the on-pitch African champions, Senegal.
For Premier League fans, there are plenty of familiar faces to get excited about: Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe scored the crucial play-off goal and West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also a regular fixture in the back line, while Sunderland's Noah Sadiki has won 17 caps despite only turning 21 in December.
Up front, Yoane Wissa returned after missing the Africa Cup of Nations with a persistent injury, and Watford's Edo Kayembe and Jeremy Ngakia are waiting in the wings.
But Congolese talent is spread across Europe – Theo Bongonda is a tricky customer for Spartak Moscow and the ageless Cedric Bakambu returned from China and Saudi Arabia to bully defences for Real Betis.
He is one goal away from drawing level with Dieumerci Mbokani at the top of the Congolese goal-scoring charts.
Squad
DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad: The March selection
- GK: Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
- GK: Timothy Fayulu (Noah)
- GK: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege)
- DF: Chancel Mbemba (Lille)
- DF: Arthur Masuaku (Lens)
- DF: Joris Kayembe (Genk)
- DF: Dylan Batubinsika (AEL)
- DF: Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley)
- DF: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)
- DF: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian)
- DF: Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz)
- DF: Jeremy Ngakia (Watford)
- MF: Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor)
- MF: Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos)
- MF: Edo Kayembe (Watford)
- MF: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow)
- MF: Charles Pickel (Espanyol)
- MF: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
- MF: Nathanael Mbuku (Lille)
- MF: Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille)
- MF: Grady Diangana (Elche)
- MF: Brian Cipenga (Castellon)
- FW: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis)
- FW: Fiston Mayele (Pyramids)
- FW: Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)
- FW: Simon Banza (Al Jazira)
Fixtures
- June 17, 2026: Portugal v DR Congo, NRG Stadium, Houston, United States
- June 24, 2026: Colombia v DR Congo, Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
- June 28, 2026: DR Congo v Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
Recent Results
- March 31, 2026: DR Congo 1-0 Jamaica (AET), Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
- March 25, 2026: DR Congo 2-0 Bermuda, Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
- January 6, 2026: Algeria 1-0 DR Congo, Rabat, Morocco
- December 30, 2025: Botswana 0-3 DR Congo, Rabat, Morocco
- December 27, 2025: Senegal 1-1 DR Congo, Tangier, Morocco
- December 23, 2025: DR Congo 1-0 Benin, Rabat, Morocco
- December 16, 2025: Zambia 0-2 DR Congo, Murcia, Spain
- November 16, 2025: Nigeria 1-1 (3-4 p) DR Congo, Rabat, Morocco
Manager
Who is DR Congo's manager?
Sebastien Desabre is well-versed in African football.
The Frenchman had coached in eight African countries before taking the DR Congo job in 2022, and he is has now taken the country back to the world stage after 52 years.
Remarkably, the 49-year-old has no playing career to speak of, instead moving straight into management at 30 years old.
DR Congo's star player
Who is DR Congo's star player?
Among the array of talent in the Congolese ranks, one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Centre-back Chancel Mbemba is the Leopards' captain and all-time record appearance maker, with 107 caps.
He exemplifies the improvement in this team, going from unreliable at Newcastle to dependable at Porto, then exceptional at Marseille and now Lille.
Best XI
