World Cup 2026: The Leopards on the verge of history
March 31, 2026 will remain etched in the memory of Congolese football.
In Guadalajara, Mexico, the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will play the final playoff match for qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
It will be the first time in 52 years that DR Congo has the opportunity to return to the World Cup. Facing the winner of the playoff between Jamaica and New Caledonia, Sébastien Desabre and his players are just 90 minutes – or more – away from writing a historic chapter.
For this crucial encounter, the French tactician is relying on defensive solidity. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku will provide width and attacking thrust on the flanks, while the central pairing of Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe combines physical strength with European experience.
Alongside them, versatile players such as Jérémy Ngakia, Joris Kayembe, and Dylan Batubinsika provide additional tactical options, ready to respond to any unexpected developments during the match.
In midfield, DR Congo can rely on players capable of managing both pressure and tempo. Noah Sadiki and Samuel Moutoussamy will provide balance and ball recovery, while players such as Edo Kayembe and Grady Diangana will energize attacking movements and transitions forward.
Their versatility will be crucial in dictating the rhythm of the game and coping with the urgency of a team driven by the dream of reaching the global stage.
The attacking line features players well known to European and African audiences. Cédric Bakambu and Fiston Mayele are expected to lead the line, supported by Simon Banza and Yoane Wissa.
If successful in Guadalajara, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would become the tenth African nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup2026 , joining Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal.
The 26 Leopards Called Up for the Guadalajara Play-off:
Goalkeepers
T. Fayulu — FC Noah / France
L. Mpasi — Le Havre / France
M. Epolo — Standard de Liège / Belgium
Defenders
A. Wan-Bissaka — West Ham United / England
J. Ngakia — Watford / England
J. Kayembe — Genk / Belgium
A. Masuaku — Lens / France
S. Kapuadi — Widzew Łódź / Poland
R. Bushiri — Hibernian / Scotland
A. Tuanzebe — Burnley / England
C. Mbemba — Lille / France
D. Batubinsika — Larissa / Greece
Midfielders
N. Sadiki — Sunderland / England
S. Moutoussamy — Atromitos / Greece
E. Kayembe — Watford / England
N. Mukau — Lille / France
C. Pickel — Espanyol / Spain
N. Mbuku — Montpellier / France
B. Cipenga — Castellón / Spain
G. Diangana — Elche / Spain
M. Elia — Alanyaspor / Türkiye
T. Bongonda — Spartak Moskva / Russia
Forwards
F. Mayele — Pyramids / Egypt
C. Bakambu — Real Betis / Spain
S. Banza — Al Jazira / United Arab Emirates
Y. Wissa — Newcastle United / England