DR Congo’s National Team on the Brink of World Cup Glory
Former DR Congo captain Youssouf Mulumbu has expressed his belief that the current generation of players in the national team is just as strong as Africa’s top teams and has the potential to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
DR Congo made their debut at the World Cup in 1974 in West Germany, competing under the name Zaire in a group that included Brazil, Scotland, and Yugoslavia. Fifty-one years later, they are now in the running for a spot in the 2026 tournament after finishing as one of the best second-placed teams in the qualifying series.
They are currently participating in the African playoffs, where they will face Cameroon in one of the semi-finals in Rabat on Thursday. The winner of the other semi-final between Nigeria and Gabon will face them in Sunday’s final. The victor of this playoff will then move on to the inter-continental playoffs in March 2026 in Mexico, where two more spots will be up for grabs.
Mulumbu believes that the Leopards can make it through these stages and reach the World Cup.
“When I joined the national team, there were many gaps. We had to rebuild and show that playing for a professional club didn’t stop you from coming to defend your country’s colours. My aim was to represent DR Congo well internationally. That’s why we were desperate to win a medal or qualify for the World Cup. It did not happen then, but I remain hopeful this generation can do it for 2026,” Mulumbu said while reflecting on his career.
A Cohesive and Organized Team
The current national team coach, Sébastien Desabre, has already named his 25-man squad for the playoffs. This squad includes players from England, France, Spain, and various other European countries, which has led Mulumbu to believe that the team is more cohesive than in previous years.
“Today’s group, by contrast, is more cohesive and tightly knit. You can see it: defensively, the team is solid and concedes few goals. And on the counter, with Bakambu on a big day, it always hurts. Back then, we relied more on individual exploits. Today, it’s a smart, organised team unit.”
Missed Opportunity in Qualifying
Despite their strong performance, DR Congo still had a chance to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup on the final day of qualifying in October. However, this would have required Senegal not to win their match. Unfortunately, the Lions of Teranga defeated Mauritania 4-0, while the Leopards managed a narrow 1-0 victory over Sudan, who finished third in their group.
Cedric Bakambu and his teammates had to settle for second place in Group B, which means they will have to go through the playoff process to secure their spot in the World Cup.
Key Players and Future Prospects
With a mix of experienced and young talent, DR Congo’s national team is looking to build on their recent performances and create a legacy that could lead them to the World Cup. Their ability to perform under pressure, combined with a strong defensive line and effective counter-attacks, makes them a formidable opponent in the playoffs.
As the team prepares for the upcoming matches, fans are hopeful that this generation can finally achieve what previous ones could not—qualify for the FIFA World Cup and bring pride to the nation.