DR Congo Seal World Cup Return After 52 Years

The Democratic Republic of Congo have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing Africa’s 10th and final slot in the expanded tournament following a dramatic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final at the Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute, bundling the ball over the line from a corner kick after a VAR check confirmed no handball infringement. The Leopards’ return to football’s biggest stage marks their first appearance since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire, ending a 52-year absence.

Africa will send an unprecedented 10 representatives to the 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The continent secured nine automatic qualification slots following FIFA’s expansion of the World Cup, with the 10th place earned through the intercontinental play-offs. The qualified nations are:

Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, South Africa and DR Congo.

Cape Verde will make a historic debut as one of the smallest nations ever to reach the World Cup, with a population of approximately 525,000.

The Super Eagles will miss a second consecutive World Cup after falling to DR Congo on penalties in the CAF play-off final in November 2025. The Nigeria Football Federation subsequently filed a petition with FIFA, alleging that several Congolese players were cleared despite contravening the country’s citizenship laws. The world football governing body dismissed the complaint, and the NFF has vowed to appeal the decision.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe welcomed the record representation, stating, “It is the first time in the history of the tournament that Africa will be represented by 10 countries. We are confident that the African national teams will make us proud.”

DR Congo have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.