Four players earn first DR Congo call-ups for 2026 World Cup qualifiers

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has named four new players in his squad for next month's crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Senegal and Togo.

With star strikers Cédric Bakambu and Silas Katompa unavailable, Desabre has drafted in 26-year-old Axel Tuanzebe, Noah Sadiki, 19, and Samuel Essende, 26, Timothy Fayulu, 24, for their first call-ups.

Former England U21 defender Tuanzebe, currently at Ipswich Town, is eligible for DR Congo through his parentage and will add experience at the back for the vital double-header.

Teenage midfielder Sadiki, born in Brussels, had the option to represent Belgium but has chosen to throw his lot in with the Leopards. He has impressed for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise this term.

Prolific Portuguese-based striker Essende, meanwhile, will provide firepower up front having struck 15 goals for Vizela this season after coming through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain.

Fayulu, a former Switzerland youth international goalkeeper who plays for Sion, has been called up to the senior national team for the first time.

Desabre has also recalled Edo Kayembe and Chadrac Akolo, who missed the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, but there is no place for Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Leicester's Stephy Mavididi despite recent talk of them switching allegiances.

The Leopards currently sit third in Group B of World Cup qualifying after beating Mauritania but losing to Sudan on matchday two back in November amid huge controversy.

The Leopards face a daunting trip to Dakar to take on Africa's highest-ranked team Senegal on 6 June, before hosting Togo three days later in matchday three and four of the qualifying campaign.

With Senegal and Sudan leading the way on four points apiece, maximum points from the upcoming double-header could prove pivotal if DR Congo are to secure one of the group's prized spots at the 2026 finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The list of 25 players called by DR Congo:

Goalkeepers:

• Dimitri Bertaud
• Esdras Kabamba
• Timothe Fayulu

 Defenders:

• Axel Tuanzebe
• Gedeon Kalulu
• Arthur Masuaku
• Jorris Kayembe
• Henock Inonga
• Chancel Mbemba
• Dylan Batubinsika
• Rocky Bushiri

Midfielders:

• Charles Pickel
• Aaron Tshibola
• Edo Kayembe
• Samuel Moutoussamy
• Noah Sadiki
• Grady Diangana
• Gael Kakuta
• Meschac Elia
• Chaddrac Akolo
• Theo Bongonda

Attackers:

• Yoana Wissa
• Son Mayele
• Simon Banza
• Samuel Essende