DR Congo are through to the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup after finishing third in Group K with four points, and will face England for a place in the last 16.
It marks a historic achievement for the Leopards, who have reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
DR Congo are at their first World Cup finals since 1974 and have made the most of their return to the biggest stage, showing resilience and quality to progress from a tough group as one of the best third-placed sides.
After opening with a draw against Portugal and a narrow defeat to Colombia, DR Congo produced a decisive performance in their final group game, beating Uzbekistan to secure their place in the knockout rounds.
Sebastien Desabre has built a disciplined and athletic side capable of causing problems in transition, with Yoane Wissa among their key attacking threats.
Get all the latest DR Congo stats as the tournament unfolds plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the African side here.
DR Congo World Cup 2026 route to the final
If DR Congo are able to come through their Round of 32 tie with England, a place in the last 16 would follow, where they could face either Mexico or Ecuador.
The quarter-finals could then bring a meeting with the winner of Brazil vs Japan or Ivory Coast vs Norway, before a potential semi-final against Argentina.
READ MORE: Get the latest DR Congo World Cup 2026 outright odds here
DR Congo World Cup 2026 stats
DR Congo key players for World Cup 2026
DR Congo top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Yoane Wissa
- Key stat: Yoane Wissa is first Congolese player to score 20 goals in a season in one of the top five European leagues since Shabani Nonda for Monaco in 2003/04. He netted 20 times for Brentford in 2024-25.
Yoane Wissa has endured a difficult, injury-hit first campaign at Newcastle United since his switch from Brentford. However, we’ve seen his ability prior to that switch and while he’s been less consistent for his country than Cedric Bakambu, his current ceiling is much higher than the 35 year old former Villarreal striker’s. Wissa has nine international goals to his name in 37 caps.
DR Congo primary playmaker: Nathanael Mbuku
- Key stat: Nathanael Mbuku created five chances, took five shots and completed five take-ons in just 224 minutes at Afcon 2025.
DR Congo will rely on the explosive directness of Nathanael Mbuku to create chances as they did at Afcon 2025. Having just spent a productive campaign on loan from Augsburg at Montpellier, the 24 year old will be hoping to showcase his talents this summer and state his case for featuring in the Bundesliga side’s first team next season. He attempted a cross every 22.4 minutes at Afcon. Expect him to look to deliver the ball from wide early for the likes of Wissa and Bakambu this summer.
DR Congo card magnet & top tackler: Samuel Moutoussamy
- Key stat: Midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy won 10 tackles in just 290 minutes at Afcon 2025
Samuel Moutoussamy is usually selected as one of the key men in the DR Congo midfield. Having racked up 57 caps for his country, the hard-working midfielder won a tackle every 29 minutes at Afcon 2025. He’s not shy of picking up a card either, being shown one at Afcon and two in his final three games of the Greek Super League season with Atromitos. He’ll face a difficult task if he’s to stop the free-flowing attacks of Portugal and Colombia in the group stages.
DR Congo rising star: Ngal’ayel Mukau
- Key stat: Ngal’ayel Mukau scored a Champions League brace for Lille against Bologna before his 21st birthday back in November 2024.
21 year old Ngal’ayel Mukau is considered to be a key component of the future of this DR Congo team. Having made 30 appearances for Lille this season, he’s a rangy, ball-winning midfielder capable of pulling his team up the pitch with vertical running with relative experience on his side. He’s less known to English fans than DRC’s other talented youngster, Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki.
STAND-OUT STAT: DR Congo have had the joint-second longest wait between qualifying for the World Cup for the first time and second time with their only previous appearance coming in 1974 when they were known as Zaire. Wales are the only nation to have waited longer for a second appearance at the tournament.
DR Congo set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa
- Free kicks: Yoane Wissa, Gael Kakuta
- Corners: Arthur Masuaku, Gael Kakuta
DR Congo tactical analysis and formation
Congo DR can switch between a 4-1-4-1 formation and a 4-3-3 formation and they have several attacking options who can help push them further up the pitch should they need to chase goals.
However, this DR Congo side will first focus on staying organised and outworking opponents. Desabre decided to fully lean on that and even switched things up to a 5-3-2.
In midfield, Noah Sadiki and Samuel Moutoussamy provide energy, intensity and a strong desire to win. Yoane Wissa will hope to recover in time to make a major impact. He is leading the attack next to the evergreen Cedric Bakambu leads the attack.
The Leopards also boast significant Premier League experience in defence. Four of their five starting defenders have previously played in the English top flight.
DR Congo manager analysis
Having never played at any serious level, Sebastien Desabre has enjoyed a fine coaching career in Africa. He has enjoyed spells with huge clubs like Wydad AC and Esperance de Tunis as well as spending two years in charge of Uganda between 2017 and 2019.
The 49 year old was appointed the Leopards coach back in 2022 and led his team to the semi-final of the 2023 Afcon tournament. Now, he has finally ended a long and painful wait to qualify for the World Cup. Unsurprisingly a highly popular figure amongst Congolese supporters.
He prefers structured set-ups and tactical discipline over free-flowing football, but given the opponents that DRC are set to take on in group stages that may be the best way to set up.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebastien Desabre | DR Congo | 49 | 29 | 8 | 12 | 59.2% |
DR Congo World Cup FAQs
Have DR Congo ever won the World Cup?
No, DR Congo have never won the World Cup. They’ve only qualified once before in 1974 as Zaire when they were knocked out in the group stages.
Where did DR Congo finish in the last World Cup?
DR Congo failed to make it to the last World Cup. They finished top of their group in Round One of qualifying, before crashing out with a below-par performance in a 2-5 thumping from Morocco.
Who will be the DR Congo captain at the World Cup?
Former Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba, who has already racked up 107 caps at the age of 31, will captain his country again this summer.
Who is DR Congo’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
In that 1974 tournament, DR Congo or Zaire as they were then known, failed to find the net, so the first goalscorer at this tournament for them will be the country’s first ever WC goalscorer. Former Norwich and Hull loanee Dieumerci Mbokani is the nation’s all-time top scorer ever with 22.
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