The Democratic Republic of the Congo has punched its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a drought that stretches back to 1974.
Back in 1974, the team competed under the name Zaire. The country has changed its name, weathered decades of political upheaval, and watched every single World Cup from the couch since then. That streak is finally over.
How they got here
DR Congo secured qualification on March 31, 2026, finishing as runners-up in CAF Group B with 22 points from 10 matches. The path included knocking off regional heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria. The qualifying run culminated in an inter-confederation playoff against Jamaica, where Axel Tuanzebe scored the only goal in extra time to seal a 1-0 victory.
Head coach Sebastien Desabre deserves significant credit for the transformation. He previously guided the squad to semi-final appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, building the tactical foundation and squad depth needed for a World Cup push.
