The Democratic Republic of Congo is on the verge of ending a long 52-year wait to return to a World Cup. A victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff final on Tuesday will secure the Leopards a spot in the 2026 World Cup, making them the tenth African representative in the tournament. The significance of the moment is felt by all. Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe stated to the BBC that this is "the most important game" of his career. Former captain Gabriel Zakuani went even further, calling it "the biggest game in our history." The country's only World Cup appearance dates back to 1974 in West Germany, when the nation was still called Zaire. That campaign was marked by disastrous results: a 0-2 loss to Scotland, a humiliating 0-9 defeat to Yugoslavia, and a 0-3 loss to Brazil. Now, a new generation of players hopes to rewrite history. If they qualify, DR Congo will join a group with Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, with the first opponent being the National Team. "The goal is to compete and put on a good display, not just to participate," said Zakuani, who is currently the assistant coach of the country's U-20 team. Since qualifying in 1974 as the third African nation to reach a World Cup, DR Congo, a vast and resource-rich country, has watched rivals like Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia regularly participate in the event. Political instability, corruption, and war are cited as the main reasons for this absence. The national team of the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as the Leopards, seeks a place in the World Cup while the country faces a severe internal crisis. Football emerges as an escape and a source of unity, despite the difficulties affecting both the population and the sports structures themselves. The success of the national team, which reached the FIFA intercontinental playoff, is seen by many as a breath of fresh air. Tuanzebe, one of the players, describes football as something that "brings a breath of fresh air to the country," while Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa hoped that the campaign in the CAN would allow those affected by violence to "smile a little." The Leopards' journey to this stage has been remarkable. They finished second in their qualifying group, behind Senegal, and then overcame a four-team African playoff, defeating Cameroon and, in the final, Nigeria on penalties. The key to their recent success has been the recruitment of players from the diaspora, a tactic also used by other African nations like Cape Verde. In the current squad of 26 players, called up by French coach Sebastien Desabre, ten were born in France, five in Belgium, two in Switzerland, and one in England. Only eight were born in Congo, and many grew up in Europe. Examples include defender Tuanzebe and his teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka, both former youth internationals for England. "I had no doubts. As soon as I arrived, they welcomed me, accepted me, I was happy, and everything has gone well since then," said Wan-Bissaka of West Ham during the recent CAN in Morocco. "It's where my parents are from. I grew up in a Congolese home and felt proud to represent them." Only two players in the squad, midfielder Meschak Elia and forward Fiston Mayele, have played for senior Congolese clubs. Akengelaka explains that "many talented players have to go abroad very early" due to "unstable organization, insufficient funding, and little media coverage of national competitions." Despite everything, the players feel the weight of responsibility. "We are very privileged to have everything we need. We lack nothing, and that allows us to give our best," admitted Tuanzebe. "This is one of those moments where this is bigger than just football; it’s about leaving a legacy, a moment in our history that we will always remember and cherish."
DR Congo World Cup remains central to this story.
DR Congo World Cup remains central to this story.
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