DR Congo have been the latest nation to name their squad for the 2026 World Cup as they compete at the World Cup for the first time.
DR Congo are led by Sebastien Desabre, who has named his squad ahead of the tournament in North America. The nation have appeared at the World Cup previously but as Zaire, prior to gaining their independence in 1997.
There are a couple of names that will stand out to fans of English football, with Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa, Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe, Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki and Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham all in the squad. There is also EFL interest, with Edo Kayembe of Watford called up to the squad.
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DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Mpasi | GK | Le Havre (France) | 27 | 0 |
| 16 | Timothy Fayulu | GK | Noah (Armenia) | 3 | 0 |
| 21 | Matthieu Epolo | GK | Standard Liege (Belgium) | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | Chancel Mbemba | DF | Lille (France) | 107 | 7 |
| 26 | Arthur Masuaku | DF | Lens (France) | 44 | 4 |
| 24 | Gedeon Kalulu | DF | Aris Limassol (Cyprus) | 27 | 0 |
| 12 | Joris Kayembe | DF | Genk (Belgium) | 24 | 0 |
| 5 | Dylan Batubinsika | DF | AEL (Greece) | 14 | 1 |
| 4 | Axel Tuanzebe | DF | Burnley (England) | 12 | 1 |
| 2 | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | DF | West Ham (England) | 10 | 0 |
| 3 | Steve Kapuadi | DF | Widzew Łódź (Poland) | 3 | 0 |
| 13 | Meschak Elia | MF | Alanyaspor (Turkey) | 68 | 12 |
| 8 | Samuel Moutoussamy | MF | Atromitos (Greece) | 56 | 0 |
| 25 | Edo Kayembe | MF | Watford (England) | 41 | 2 |
| 10 | Theo Bongonda | MF | Spartak Moscow (Russia) | 37 | 7 |
| 18 | Charles Pickel | MF | Espanyol (Spain) | 33 | 1 |
| 11 | Gaël Kakuta | MF | AEL (Greece) | 30 | 5 |
| 14 | Noah Sadiki | MF | Sunderland (England) | 18 | 0 |
| 7 | Nathanael Mbuku | MF | Montpellier (France) | 17 | 2 |
| 15 | Aaron Tshibola | MF | Kilmarnock (Scotland) | 16 | 1 |
| 6 | Ngal’ayel Mukau | MF | Lille (France) | 12 | 0 |
| 9 | Brian Cipenga | MF | Castellón (Spain) | 7 | 0 |
| 17 | Cedric Bakambu | FW | Real Betis (Spain) | 68 | 21 |
| 19 | Fiston Mayele | FW | Pyramids (Egypt) | 37 | 6 |
| 20 | Yoane Wissa | FW | Newcastle (England) | 36 | 9 |
| 23 | Simon Banza | FW | Al Jazira (UAE) | 14 | 2 |
DR Congo have announced their 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance in the tournament since 1974 when they competed as Zaire. The Leopards secured their spot through the inter-confederation play-offs in March, overcoming Cameroon, Nigeria, and Jamaica after finishing second in their qualification group behind Senegal.
The squad features a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, with several familiar faces from European leagues. Notably, Chancel Mbemba captains the team, anchoring the defence. Premier League fans will recognize Axel Tuanzebe, who scored a crucial play-off goal, and West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a regular in the backline. Young talent Noah Sadiki, despite being only 21, has already earned 18 caps.
In midfield, players like Edo Kayembe are expected to energize the team while upfront, the ageless Cedric Bakambu returns, just one goal shy of becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer, alongside Yoane Wissa. This diverse squad, under coach Sebastien Desabre, aims to make a significant impact on the global stage.
- Read more: DR Congo World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis)
Cedric Bakambu, the seasoned forward for Real Betis, is poised to be a pivotal figure for DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup. His experience and goal-scoring prowess will be crucial for the Leopards, who are making their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Bakambu’s deep desire to help his nation succeed on the global stage is evident, having expressed immense pride in their qualification. He recently scored three goals and provided two assists during the CAF qualifiers, demonstrating his continued influence. As a clinical finisher and a leader, Bakambu’s ability to bully defences and convert chances will be vital for DR Congo’s aspirations to make a significant impact in the tournament.
Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)
Yoane Wissa, the dynamic forward for Newcastle United, is set to be a key attacking threat for DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup. Having recently returned to the national squad after recovering from injury, Wissa’s presence is expected to significantly boost the Leopards’ offensive capabilities. His decision to prioritise fitness with his club side, Newcastle United, before the World Cup play-offs demonstrates his commitment to being in peak condition for the tournament. Wissa’s pace, skill, and ability to play across the front line will provide crucial versatility and goal-scoring opportunities for DR Congo as they aim to make a strong impression on the global stage.
Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille)
Ngal’ayel Mukau, the promising young midfielder for Lille, is emerging as a vital component of the DR Congo squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Having recently made his international debut, Mukau brings fresh energy and technical proficiency to the Leopards’ midfield. His performances in Ligue 1 and the Europa League have highlighted his excellent passing accuracy and composure on the ball. Experts consider him an obvious choice to anchor the midfield alongside established players, providing crucial balance and stability. Mukau’s youthful dynamism and growing experience in top-flight European football will be instrumental in DR Congo’s quest to navigate the challenges of the World Cup stage.
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DR Congo World Cup 2026 fixtures
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