2026-06-09
DR Congo lose 1-2 to Chile in final warm-up
Kayembe's late goal wasn't enough as preparation ended with defeat before facing Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K.
Group K · CAF · FIFA #46 · 1001/1
DR Congo
1652First World Cup since going as Zaire in 1974, sealed by Tuanzebe's 100th-minute playoff winner, with an Ebola-outbreak backdrop disrupting their preparations.
Coach Sébastien Desabre (French) · since 2022
Matches
Key players
- Chancel MbembaCB · Lille
Captain and record cap-holder (107) who marshals the defence
- Yoane WissaST · Newcastle United
The squad's most dangerous attacker, leading the line
- Cédric BakambuST · Real Betis
21 international goals, one behind the all-time record
- Aaron Wan-BissakaRB · West Ham United
Premier League full-back adding defensive quality on the right
- Axel TuanzebeCB · Burnley
Scored the 100th-minute winner vs Jamaica that sealed qualification
- Joris KayembeLB · Genk
Experienced wing-back who scored in the final warm-up vs Chile
Injuries / doubts
- Rocky Bushiri - injured and replaced in the squad by Aaron Tshibola
Recent form
| 2026-06-09 | Chile | 1-2 L | Friendly |
| 2026-06-03 | Denmark | 0-0 D | Friendly |
| 2026-03-31 | Jamaica | 1-0 W (aet) | Inter-confederation playoff final |
| 2026-03-25 | Bermuda | 2-0 W | Friendly |
| 2025-11-16 | Nigeria | 1-1 (won 4-3 pens) | CAF playoff final |
| 2025-11-13 | Cameroon | 1-0 W | CAF playoff semi-final |
News
2026-06-05
Chile friendly moved to Orléans behind closed doors
Spanish authorities cancelled the planned Cádiz/Marbella warm-up over Ebola health concerns, forcing relocation to France.
2026-05-19
US to let DR Congo team in despite Ebola restrictions
Washington granted the Leopards an exemption from travel curbs linked to the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo.
2026-05-18
Desabre names DR Congo's 26-man World Cup squad
Captain Chancel Mbemba leads a group featuring Wissa, Bakambu, Wan-Bissaka and playoff hero Tuanzebe.