DR Congo Announce Squad For 2026 World Cup

Democratic Republic of Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has announced a 26‑man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Leopards will return to the World Cup after a 50‑year absence. Their last appearance was at the 1974 tournament in West Germany, where they lost all three matches, including a 9‑0 defeat to Yugoslavia.

DR Congo will compete in Group K at the 2026 finals, facing Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

“The squad has picked itself because we’ve all been together now for some four years. The World Cup is no forum for experimenting or development,” Desabre said on Monday.

“We want to play to our best level, and our objective is to get past the first phase, which I believe is well within our capacity.”

Full Squad

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

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larissa), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan‑Bissaka (West Ham United)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Elia Meshack (Alanyaspor), Gaël Kakuta (Larissa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngalayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)

Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)