World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Sébastien Desabre Reveals DR Congo Squad

National coach Sébastien Desabre officially unveiled the list of the Leopards from the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, for the 5th and 6th rounds of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Coach Sébastien Desabre has called up a squad of 25 Leopards to face South Sudan's Bright Stars in Kinshasa and Mauritania's Mourabitounes in Nouakchott on March 21 and 24, respectively.

Sébastien Desabre trusts Chancel Mbemba despite OM

Chancel Mbemba has not played for his club since the start of the 2024/2025 season. Sidelined at Olympique de Marseille due to differences, the Congolese player is awaiting the end of this campaign to make a comeback. However, this situation does not seem to shake coach Sébastien Desabre's confidence in the Leopards' captain. Just as in the last four qualifiers for the CAN Morocco 2023, Chancel Mbemba will indeed be with his teammates from the Democratic Republic of Congo against South Sudan and Mauritania.

A new face in the Leopards' den

Timothy Fayulu receives his first call-up to the DR Congo national team. He is the goalkeeper for FC Sion. The 25-year-old has been playing in the Swiss league since the 2019/2020 season. He thus joins the Congolese goalkeeping squad alongside Lionel Mpassi and Dimitry Bertaud for the challenges against the Bright Stars and the Mourabitounes.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.