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DR Congo Eyes World Cup Return in Play-offs

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DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre

Sebastien Desabre's DR Congo looks to make history in North America play-off tournament for 2026 World Cup. DR Congo faces Jamaica/New Caledonia in March 31 play-off for 2026 World Cup spot in Guadalajara, Mexico.


Fearless DR Congo chase World Cup return after 52-year absence, aiming to overcome tough play-off opponents...


DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre says his team is fearless and ready for the 2026 World Cup play-off final against either Jamaica or New Caledonia in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Central Africans are gunning for a return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence and are pumped up for the challenge.


Desabre's team has a great opportunity to make history, and they're going for it with no fear. The winner of the play-off final will secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. 


The Leopards made it to the big stage after beating Nigeria in a thrilling play-off match. This is their second shot at the global finals, with their only previous appearance way back in 1974 when they last shone at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as two-time champions.


DR Congo Ready for Play-off Tournament

“We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective. That’s the goal we set ourselves when I took this job three and a half years ago,” Desabre told FIFA.com.


“This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It’s definitely been a long road to get here and we’ve worked our way through every stage.”


The play-off tournament will decide two teams that'll join the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US. The matches go down on March 26 and 31, 2026, at two venues in Mexico.


He added: “I can’t point to just one moment. It’s about everything we’ve been through together – the highs and the lows. Those experiences have made us stronger and more resilient, and they’ve led us to this point.


“After all the hard work the players and the staff have put in over the last three years, they’ve thoroughly earned it.”


On DR Congo conceding only one goal in their last four qualifying matches, he said: “Defensive solidity is the bedrock of our side, but our attacking numbers have also been good in recent matches.


“In Congo DR, we’re lucky enough to have talented players who ply their trade at top clubs. Above all, everyone has really bought into the project we’ve been building together.”



‘We’ve got to stick together’

Desabre continued: “The players share a strong bond both on and off the pitch. Everyone is pulling in the same direction to achieve a common goal.


“We can make it tough for our opponents because we play as a unit: our forwards track back, our defenders push forward and everyone pulls together, as if they were soldiers going into battle for their country.


“That’s what matters most to me and it’s what I ask of the players every time they go out there. We have to leave everything out on the pitch and we need to play with real aggression – in the right way, of course. We’ve got to stick together and, most of all, stay grounded.”


The play-off tournament in North America is a warm-up for the World Cup, and DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre's warning is clear: they're coming for their opponents with no fear.






“We’re not afraid of anyone. We’re going to give it our all. As a minimum, we need to replicate the kind of performance we delivered against Nigeria (a match which Congo DR won 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time). We know all about Jamaica and New Caledonia,” offered Desabre.


“We’ve been scouting them. We’ll have the chance to watch them play over in Mexico on 26 March, but, for now, we’re focusing on our own players.”


He continued: “We all want to go to the World Cup, but we can’t let our emotions or the magnitude of the occasion get the better of us. In the end, what matters is playing well, keeping our feet on the ground and giving everything we’ve got out on the pitch.


“We need to focus and perform well on the day to get the job done and make Congo proud. That’s what it’s all about for us. The Congolese are passionate about football and some of them are going through difficult times.


“I know that the whole nation will come to a standstill on March 31 so, people can watch the match. We hope we can give our fans the lift they deserve.”


DR Congo (then known as Zaire) made history in 1974 as the first sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Their debut wasn't exactly a success, though - they finished 16th, losing all three group stage matches, scoring zero goals, and conceding 14. The 9-0 thrashing by Yugoslavia is still remembered.


The play-offs are single-leg knockout matches - it's win or go home. If the scores are level at 90 minutes, they'll go to 30 minutes of extra time, and teams can make a sixth sub.


If it's still a draw after extra time, penalties will decide the winner. 


DR Congo Squad
The Play-Off Tournament will decide the final two qualification spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Credit: Fecofa - Fédération Congolaise de Football Association

DR Congo squad for FIFA play-off Tournament


Goalkeepers: Theo Fayulu (FC Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege).


Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Jeremy Ngakia (Watford), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Steven Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Dylan Batu binsika (Larissa).


Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Meschack Elia (Alanyaspor), Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Bryan Ssebinya (Castellon), Grady Diangana (Elche).


Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United).




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