DR CONGO
Nickname: Léopards (Leopards)
Manager: Sébastien Desabre
The DR Congo men’s national football team has announced its squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. DR Congo was the first sub-Saharan African country to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. DR Congo will be playing in her second FIFA World Cup tournament in 2026. The Central African giant played in it first FIFA World Cup in 1974 in West Germany
The team qualified under the name Zaire, becoming the first sub-Saharan African nation to participate in the tournament. They were eliminated in the group stage, failing to score a goal. This is the first time the country will be playing in the FIFA World Cup after being renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo from its previous name, Zaire. The roster was announced on May 18, 2026.
Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege)
Defenders: Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Dylan Batubinsika (AEL)
Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Gaël Kakuta (AEL), Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow)
Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis)
