2026 World Cup - Group K: DR Congo preview, squad and fixture list

17.06.26 FT World Cup

Portugal

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:

DR Congo

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DR Congo will compete in the World Cup for only the second time in its history, and the first since 1974 when the nation was known as Zaire.

World Cup history

DR Congo has only one previous World Cup appearance, back in 1974 as Zaire, which ended in disaster with three defeats: (0-2) against Scotland, (0-9) against Yugoslavia, and (0-3) against Brazil.

Qualification journey

DRC's road to qualification was anything but easy. The Leopards finished second in their group behind Senegal. They then triumphed in the African playoff, overcoming Cameroon and Nigeria.

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Finally, they punched their World Cup ticket by winning the intercontinental playoff tournament against Jamaica (1-0 after extra time).

Number of appearances

1 (1974)

World Cup record

3 matches: 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses, 0 goals scored / 14 goals conceded

DRC squad

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège, BEL), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, ARM), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (AEL Larissa, GRE), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, SCO), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris, GRE), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Nathan Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz, POL), Joris Kayembe (Genk, BEL), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, ENG), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham, ENG)

Midfielders: Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, RUS), Meschack Elia (Alanyaspor, TUR), Gaël Kakuta (AEL Larissa, GRE), Edo Kayembe (Watford, ENG Championship), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutousamy (Atromitos, GRE), Charles Pickel (Espanyol Barcelona, ESP), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, ENG)

Forwards: Simon Banza (Al-Jazira, UAE), Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, ESP), Brian Cipenga (Castellon, ESP Segunda), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, EGY), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle, ENG)

DR Congo's Group K fixture schedule

Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Portugal - DR Congo
5pm | Houston Stadium

Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Colombia - DR Congo
2am | Guadalajara Stadium

Saturday, June 27, 2026
DR Congo - Uzbekistan
11:30pm | Atlanta Stadium

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

Related teams and leagues

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DR Congo

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