DR Congo stunned the world at the 2026 World Cup

DR Congo, guided by Sébastien Desabre, reached the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, a historic first. After a tough qualification through African playoffs and an inter‑continental tie, they held giants like Portugal (1‑1) and England (2‑1), before beating Uzbekistan 3‑1 on June 24 2026.

How did the 2026 campaign reshape DR Congo’s standing?

The run changed the continent’s view: the Leopards are no longer mere outsiders. Their equaliser against Portugal, scored in the 23rd minute by Cédric Bakambu, showed poise under pressure. The 1‑0 loss to Colombia, though disappointing, highlighted a defensive solidity rare for a debutant nation. Yoane Wissa’s brace against Uzbekistan delivered DR Congo’s first ever World Cup win.

What lessons feed into AFCON 2027?

Group K exposed tactical gaps, especially a lapse in the final minutes, as seen in the 2‑1 defeat to England on June 30 2026, where Harry Kane struck in the 75th and 86th minute. Desabre has already said he will work on tempo management. The qualification draw – Group E with Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe – offers a more balanced test, perfect for fine‑tuning before the knockout stage.

What are the immediate challenges?

The first two Group E fixtures start on September 21 2026 in Kinshasa versus Equatorial Guinea, then on October 6 2026 in Harare against Zimbabwe. A home win could create vital momentum. Meanwhile, the summer transfer window will see two European attacking midfielders join, adding the creativity that was missing against England.

Why should fans stay hopeful?

After a setback at AFCON 2025 (round‑of‑16 exit to Algeria), the World Cup performance reminded everyone of the nation’s potential. A blend of tighter defence and forwards capable of scoring on big stages positions DR Congo as serious contenders for the 2027 title. The last triumph dates back to 1974, and every upcoming match is a chance to shrink the 53‑year wait.