Nation dossier · Group K · Out in the Round of 32
DR Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Latest England 2–1 DR Congo · Round of 32
Knocked out by England · Match 80
Title probability
0.0%
as of 2026-07-20
Overview
DR Congo arrive at their first World Cup since 1974 carrying the weight of a footballing giant that has long underachieved on the global stage. The Leopards announced their renewed ambition with a stirring run to the AFCON semi-finals, blending European-based talent with a fearless attacking identity.
Under a settled spine led by captain Chancel Mbemba, this is arguably the strongest Congolese generation in decades. Qualification itself was a triumph, and the squad arrives with nothing to lose and genuine belief they can spring surprises in Group K.
Capital
Kinshasa
Population
109,276,000
Confederation
CAF
FIFA code
COD
From Wikipedia
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo and formerly named Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is the second-largest country in Africa and the eleventh-largest in the world. With a population of around 124 million people, the Democratic Republic…
Source: Wikipedia →Squad
- 118caps
Lionel Mpasi
Le Havre · First-choice goalkeeper
- 168caps
Timothy Fayulu
FC Noah · Backup goalkeeper
- 21
Matthieu Epolo
Standard Liège · Young goalkeeper
- 2
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
West Ham United · Premier League right-back
- 3
Steve Kapuadi
Widzew Łódź · Centre-back
- 4
Axel Tuanzebe
Burnley · Ex-Manchester United defender
- 520caps
Dylan Batubinsika
AEL · Centre-back
- 1222caps
Joris Kayembe
Genk · Versatile full-back
- 22107caps
Chancel Mbemba
Lille · Captain and most-capped player
- 2415caps
Gédéon Kalulu
Aris Limassol · Right-back
- 2635caps
Arthur Masuaku
Lens · Experienced left-back
- 6
Ngal'ayel Mukau
Lille · Emerging young midfielder
- 816caps
Samuel Moutoussamy
Atromitos · Central midfielder
- 1130caps
Gaël Kakuta
AEL · Creative veteran playmaker
- 148caps
Noah Sadiki
Sunderland · Young rising midfielder
- 1510caps
Aaron Tshibola
Kilmarnock · Defensive midfielder
- 1824caps
Charles Pickel
Espanyol · Holding midfielder
- 2530caps
Edo Kayembe
Watford · Box-to-box midfielder
- 7
Nathanael Mbuku
Montpellier · Young winger
- 9
Brian Cipenga
Castellón · Forward
- 1040caps
Theo Bongonda
Spartak Moscow · Pacey winger
- 1328caps
Meschack Elia
Alanyaspor · Attacking winger
- 1755caps
Cédric Bakambu
Real Betis · Veteran striker, 21 international goals
- 1914caps
Fiston Mayele
Pyramids FC · Prolific African club striker
- 2037caps
Yoane Wissa
Newcastle United · Scored DR Congo's first World Cup goal
- 23
Simon Banza
Al Jazira · Target-man striker
Model
as of 2026-07-20Exp. points
4.00
Proj. finish
24.5
Seed Elo
1660
Title-probability trajectory
Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots
Matches
History
2022
Did not qualify / Group stage
Culture
Football culture
Football is a national obsession, with TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi a continental powerhouse that famously reached a Club World Cup final. The game offers both escapism and pride, and matches are accompanied by drumming, dancing and vivid color.
Did you know
- As Zaire in 1974, they were the first Black African team at a World Cup.
- TP Mazembe reached the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup final.
- The Congo River is the world's deepest, plunging over 220 metres.
- Congolese rumba is recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage.
- DR Congo has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, in 1968 and 1974.