The DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad – as they hope they'll be, by April – will be cursing their luck that they haven't already booked their tickets to North America this summer.
The Leopards earned 22 points in their World Cup 2026 qualification group but finished second behind the on-pitch African champions, Senegal.
After beating Cameroon and Nigeria in the African play-offs, they now must face either New Caledonia or Jamaica in the inter-confederation spot to finally take their place in the USA.
For Premier League fans, there are plenty of familiar faces to get excited about: Burnley's Axel Tuanzaebe and West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka are regular fixtures in the back line, while Sunderland's Noah Sadiki has won 17 caps despite only turning 21 in December.
Up front, Yoane Wissa will return 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.
DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad: The March selection
DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad: The squad for the March play-offs
- 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)
DR Congo fixtures and results
Fixtures
- March 25, 2026: DR Congo vs Bermuda, Guadalajara, Mexico
- March 31, 2026: DR Congo vs New Caledonia/Jamaica, Guadalajara, Mexico
Recent results
- 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: Nigeria 1-1 (3-4 p) DR Congo, Rabat, Morocco
DR Congo manager: Serhiy Rebrov
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 Congo job in 2022, and he is now on the cusp of taking 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 106 caps.
He exemplifies the improvement in this team, going from unreliable at Newcastle to dependable at Porto, then exceptional at Marseille and now Lille.
