World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: What Starting Eleven for the 'Leopards'?

The head coach of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sébastien Desabre, has unveiled the list of selected players for the upcoming international break.

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The Leopards will face South Sudan and Mauritania in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The 'White Wizard' will have plenty of options to choose from for his starting eleven, although logic would suggest he might rely on the following lineup:

Dimitri Bertaud, Gédéon Kalulu, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Edo Kayembe, Ngalayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Silas Katompa, Meschack Elia, and Yoane Wissa.

The DRC squad

Goalkeepers: Dimitri Bertaud (Montpellier/France) - Lionel Mpasi (Rodez Aveyron/France) - Timothy Fayulu (Sion FC/Switzerland).

Defenders: Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient FC/France) - Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich/England) - Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille/France) - Arthur Masuaku (Beşiktaş/Turkey)- Henock Inonga (AS FAR/Morocco) - Dylan Batubinsika (AS Saint-Étienne/France) - Joris Kayembe (KRC Genk/Belgium) - Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian/Scotland).

Midfielders: Charles Pickel (US Cremonese/Italy) - Meschack Elia (Nantes- France) - Silas Katompa (Red Star Belgrade/Serbia) - Edo Kayembe (Watford/England) - Noah Sadiki (Union Saint-Gilloise/Belgium) - Ngalayel Mukau (Lille/France) - Samuel Moutoussamy (Sivasspor/Turkey) - Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow/Russia) - Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion/England).

Forwards: Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC/Egypt) - Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis/Spain) - Samuel Essende (FC Augsburg/Germany) - Simon Banza (Trabzonspor/Turkey) - Yoane Wissa (Brentford/England).

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.