Sébastien Desabre named his DR Congo World Cup squad for 2026 on May 18, with captain Chancel Mbemba leading the group. The Leopards return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they played as Zaire. Axel Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute winner against Jamaica on March 31 sealed the spot. A 52-year wait is over.
This is a diaspora-built squad. Yoane Wissa, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki, and Axel Tuanzebe all played 2025-26 in the Premier League, and Cédric Bakambu brings 21 international goals from Real Betis. DR Congo are ranked 46th by FIFA and land in Group K with Portugal, Colombia, and debutants Uzbekistan. Every player in the squad is a World Cup first-timer.
This is your full DR Congo squad list, schedule, and key player breakdown for the 2026 tournament.
DR Congo 26-Player Squad for World Cup 2026
| Position | Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Lionel Mpasi | Le Havre | 31 |
| GK | Timothy Fayulu | FC Noah | 26 |
| GK | Matthieu Epolo | Standard Liège | 21 |
| DF | Chancel Mbemba (C) | Lille | 31 |
| DF | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | West Ham United | 28 |
| DF | Axel Tuanzebe | Burnley | 28 |
| DF | Arthur Masuaku | Lens | 32 |
| DF | Gédéon Kalulu | Aris Limassol | 28 |
| DF | Joris Kayembe | Genk | 31 |
| DF | Dylan Batubinsika | AEL | 30 |
| DF | Steve Kapuadi | Widzew Łódź | 28 |
| DF | Aaron Tshibola | Kilmarnock | 31 |
| MF | Meschak Elia | Alanyaspor | 28 |
| MF | Samuel Moutoussamy | Atromitos | 29 |
| MF | Edo Kayembe | Watford | 27 |
| MF | Charles Pickel | Espanyol | 28 |
| MF | Gaël Kakuta | AEL | 34 |
| MF | Noah Sadiki | Sunderland | 21 |
| MF | Nathanaël Mbuku | Montpellier | 24 |
| MF | Ngal’ayel Mukau | Lille | 21 |
| MF | Brian Cipenga | Castellón | 28 |
| FW | Cédric Bakambu | Real Betis | 35 |
| FW | Théo Bongonda | Spartak Moscow | 30 |
| FW | Fiston Mayele | Pyramids FC | 31 |
| FW | Yoane Wissa | Newcastle United | 29 |
| FW | Simon Banza | Al Jazira | 29 |
(C) = captain. Ages are pre-tournament figures as of June 11, 2026. Aaron Tshibola replaced the injured Rocky Bushiri.
For all 48 team squads, see our World Cup 2026 squads tracker.
Quick Stats
DR Congo’s squad spreads across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The numbers that define it:
- Average age: 28.4 years
- Most-capped player: Chancel Mbemba (107 caps)
- Top scorer in the squad: Cédric Bakambu (21 international goals)
- Premier League players: 4 (Yoane Wissa, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki, Axel Tuanzebe)
- Home-based players: 0, every player is based at a club abroad
- Youngest players: Matthieu Epolo, Noah Sadiki, and Ngal’ayel Mukau (all 21)
- Oldest player: Cédric Bakambu (35)
- World Cup debutants: all 26 players
Key Players to Watch
Chancel Mbemba (C), Lille
Mbemba holds the national record with 107 caps. The 31-year-old centre-back rebuilt his career from an erratic defender at Newcastle United into a leader at Porto, Marseille, and now Lille. He buried the winning penalty against Nigeria in the playoff. This team runs through him.
Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United
Wissa is DR Congo’s most dangerous attacker. The 29-year-old spent three sharp seasons at Brentford before his move to Newcastle United. He brings pace, direct running, and a clinical finish. Against Portugal and Colombia, Desabre needs him stretching defenders from the first whistle.
Cédric Bakambu, Real Betis
The veteran striker sits on 21 international goals, one short of Dieumerci Mbokani’s all-time DR Congo record. At 35, Bakambu adds LaLiga know-how and aerial threat to the front line. His movement and set-piece presence make him a real danger in Group K. He could break that record in the United States.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, West Ham United
Wan-Bissaka is one of the Premier League’s best one-on-one defenders. He built that reputation across five years at Manchester United before joining West Ham, then switched allegiance from England to the Leopards. Desabre gets an elite right-back with the discipline this group needs.
Noah Sadiki, Sunderland
Sadiki is the squad’s breakout name. The 21-year-old midfielder earned a big-money move to Sunderland and held his own in the Premier League. He breaks up play and drives forward, giving DR Congo a midfield engine for the future.
Axel Tuanzebe, Burnley
The man who sent DR Congo to the World Cup. Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute goal against Jamaica on March 31 confirmed the place. He switched from England and repaid the trust at once. He brings composure and Premier League experience to the back line.
DR Congo World Cup 2026 Schedule
DR Congo play all three Group K matches across the United States and Mexico. Kick-off times are listed in Eastern Time (ET) and West Africa Time (WAT) for fans back home in Kinshasa.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (WAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Portugal | Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium), Houston | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| June 23, 2026 | Colombia | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM* |
| June 27, 2026 | Uzbekistan | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Atlanta | 7:30 PM | 12:30 AM* |
*Next day in Kinshasa. WAT = West Africa Time (UTC+1). Kick-off times follow the official FIFA match schedule, and group positions are confirmed from the December 5, 2025 draw.
DR Congo face their hardest test first against Portugal in Houston, with the most winnable game last against Uzbekistan in Atlanta. Before the tournament, they play friendlies against Denmark on June 3 and Chile on June 9. Track every fixture on the full 2026 World Cup schedule.
How DR Congo Qualified for World Cup 2026
DR Congo entered CAF qualification in a six-team group with Senegal, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, and Mauritania. They finished second on 22 points, behind group winners Senegal. As one of the four best runners-up across the nine African groups, the Leopards reached a knockout mini-tournament in Morocco.
The mini-tournament decided which African side reached the inter-confederation play-offs. Mbemba scored late to beat Cameroon in the semifinal on November 13, 2025. Three days later, DR Congo drew Nigeria 1-1, then won 4-3 on penalties with Mbemba burying the decider.
DR Congo traveled to Mexico in March 2026 for the inter-confederation play-offs. They beat Bermuda 2-0 in Guadalajara on March 25. Six days later, Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute winner against Jamaica booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Head Coach: Sébastien Desabre
Sébastien Desabre is a 49-year-old French coach born on August 2, 1976, in Valence. He took the DR Congo job in 2022 after working in eight African countries, including Uganda, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Morocco. Desabre never played professionally. He moved into management at 30 and built his name on the African circuit.
His football is built on defensive structure and fast vertical transitions. Belgium-born Mario Stroeykens and France-born Warren Bondo both declared for DR Congo but missed the final cut, as did former Manchester United youth defender Willy Kambwala. Desabre backed the players who earned qualification. They stay compact and strike on the counter.
Group K at a Glance
DR Congo share Group K with Portugal, Colombia, and debut nation Uzbekistan.
| Team | FIFA Ranking | WC Appearances (excl. 2026) | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 5 | 8 | Third place (1966) |
| Colombia | 13 | 6 | Quarterfinals (2014) |
| DR Congo | 46 | 1 | Group stage (1974) |
| Uzbekistan | 50 | 0 | Debut tournament |
FIFA rankings: DR Congo and Portugal as of April 1, 2026 (FIFA Men’s World Ranking). Colombia and Uzbekistan from the November 2025 list. World Cup appearances exclude 2026.
Portugal sit fifth and look clear favourites to top the group under Roberto Martínez. Colombia reached the 2014 quarterfinals and carry technical quality throughout. Uzbekistan are debutants and the group outsiders.
None of these opponents has ever met DR Congo at a World Cup. Every match in Houston, Zapopan, and Atlanta is new ground for the Leopards. That removes any baggage, but it also means there’s no template to follow.
FAQ About DR Congo World Cup Squad 2026
What nickname does the DR Congo national team go by?
DR Congo are known as the Leopards, or Les Léopards in French. The leopard stands as a symbol of strength and national identity. Some fans also call the team the Sky Blues after their light-blue home kit.
Who is DR Congo’s all-time top scorer, and is he in the 2026 squad?
DR Congo’s record scorer is Dieumerci Mbokani with 22 international goals. He isn’t in the 2026 squad. Cédric Bakambu leads the current group on 21 goals, one short of that national record going into the tournament.
Have DR Congo ever faced Portugal or Colombia at a World Cup?
No. DR Congo have never met Portugal, Colombia, or Uzbekistan in a World Cup. Their only previous matches came in 1974, when they played as Zaire and lost all three group games, conceding 14 goals.
Which players switched international allegiance to play for DR Congo?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe both represented England youth teams before switching to DR Congo. Gaël Kakuta came through France’s youth ranks before declaring for the Leopards. Those choices gave Desabre players with strong European pedigree.
DR Congo’s World Cup 2026 Hopes
The DR Congo World Cup Squad 2026 is built on diaspora talent. Most key names grew up in Belgium or France and developed in the Premier League, Ligue 1, and LaLiga. Desabre molded that spread into one unit, a group that saw off Cameroon, Nigeria, and Jamaica in a row. That toughness travels well.
Group K is hard, but it isn’t closed off. DR Congo could reach the Round of 32 with one win and a draw, and the Uzbekistan game is there to take. If Wissa fires and Bakambu chases that scoring record, the Leopards could even trouble Colombia. This side stands a real chance of making history in 2026.
