Loading World Cup 2026 Simulator
1
Appearance
1974
First appearance
Competed as Zaire in 1974
Kit colours
Blue / Yellow / Red
DR Congo national football team
26 players called up for World Cup 2026.
Lionel Mpasi
Timothy Fayulu
Matthieu Epolo
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Steve Kapuadi
Axel Tuanzebe
Dylan Batubinsika
Joris Kayembe
Chancel Mbemba
Gedeon Kalulu
Arthur Masuaku
Ngalayel Mukau
Nathanael Mbuku
Samuel Moutoussamy
Theo Bongonda
Noah Sadiki
Aaron Tshibola
Charles Pickel
Edo Kayembe
Brian Cipenga
Gael Kakuta
Meschack Elia
Cedric Bakambu
Fiston Mayele
Yoane Wissa
Simon Banza
Announced: 2026-06-22
Sources: FIFA
DR Congo arrive at World Cup 2026 in Group K, representing CAF.
Sébastien Desabre leads the tactical plan, with the group phase defining whether COD can build momentum into the knockout rounds.
Group rivals include Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan. Every result can shift the path to the round of 32.
DR Congo national football team
The DR Congo national football team, recognised by FIFA as Congo DR and by CAF as DR Congo, represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and it is controlled by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are nicknamed Les Léopards, meaning The Leopards. The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). DR Congo have been ranked as high as 28th in the FIFA Rankings; as Zaire, they were the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and twice won the Africa Cup of Nations. They are also one of the most successful teams in the African Nations Championship with two titles, second only to Morocco with three. They are currently ranked 46th in the FIFA Rankings. DR Congo have previously competed variously as Belgian Congo, Congo-Kinshasa and Zaïre. Their appearance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup captained by Jean Claude Sambey
See DR Congo fixtures and simulate their possible path to the final.
A practical way to separate obvious contenders from teams whose bracket path can become dangerous in the expanded 48-team format.
A clear overview of how national teams reach the expanded 48-team World Cup and why qualification differs by confederation.
An explanation of group-stage ranking logic, football tiebreakers, and why goal difference can decide an entire tournament path.
How group rankings become knockout slots, why paths shift, and how the simulator advances teams round by round.