Group K | Africa
DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup
A hard-working DR Congo side pressing high, using Wan-Bissaka's width and Wissa's movement as the attacking edge.
Watch for DR Congo early read: whether Wan-Bissaka's width creates attacks or leaves too much space behind the right side.
Story
DR Congo's hook is commitment: Desabre has turned a Europe-based diaspora group into a real national-team collective.
Tactical cue
DR Congo early read: whether Wan-Bissaka's width creates attacks or leaves too much space behind the right side.
Squad, fixtures, manager, tactics, and match outlook
This page tracks DR Congo's World Cup 2026 squad shape, group fixtures, manager context, tactical profile, and key players to watch. Start with the story, then check the tactical cue and player cue against the next match.
Qualification and bracket path
Jump from the main team card into the scenario pages that matter most for this team.
- World Cup 2026 scenarios
Start at the main qualification and bracket hub
- Group K qualification scenarios
See the wider group qualification picture
- Knockout bracket
See the live knockout picture
Overview
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DR Congo are back for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire, after winning through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. That return after more than five decades is one of the tournament’s defining stories.
Trophy
Finals
Third Place
Best Finish
Group stage (1974)
 | Head CoachSebastien Desabre |
Age: 49Joined: August 2022Exp: 18 yrs Club / 6 yrs Country | |
| Coaching Philosophy Hard-working side that employs a high press and looks to dominate possession, finding attacking width via their full-backs. | |
| Key Achievements +Took DR Congo to the semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON and the last 16 of the 2025 AFCON. | |
 | Yoane Wissa | |
Age: 29Exp: 11 yrs Club / 6 yrs Country | ||
Current ClubNewcastle United | 🛡️ | |
 | Chancel Mbemba | |
Age: 31Exp: 14 yrs Club / 14 yrs Country | ||
Current ClubLille | 🛡️ | |
 | Meschack Elia | |
Age: 28Exp: 11 yrs Club / 10 yrs Country | ||
Current ClubTBD | 🛡️ | |
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Favorite
Hard-working side that employs a high press and looks to dominate possession, finding attacking width via their full-backs.
Tactics
◆ Tactical Analysis ◆
Attack
DR Congo utilizes wide service and direct transitions to create scoring opportunities, frequently relying on Yoane Wissa's movement and clinical finishing to capitalize on defensive lapses. The attack demonstrates versatility through both aerial threats from crosses and opportunistic strikes from close range, though overall output remains reliant on high-intensity moments rather than sustained possession.
Key Strength
DR Congo displays significant tactical resilience and composure, consistently challenging elite opposition through high-intensity transitions and clinical finishing. This competitive edge is anchored by the exceptional shot-stopping of Lionel Mpasi, who frequently keeps the team in contention against superior attacking pressure.
Defence
DR Congo relies heavily on the shot-stopping heroics of goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi to compensate for defensive lapses and frequent exposure in the final third. While the team demonstrates resilience in transition, they often struggle to maintain structural integrity, frequently conceding space to opponents and failing to secure a clean sheet across their tournament fixtures.
Fatal Weakness
DR Congo relies heavily on individual goalkeeping heroics to compensate for a defensive structure that frequently concedes space and high-quality chances. This over-reliance on the goalkeeper leaves the team vulnerable to sustained pressure and late-game collapses when the defensive line is breached.
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Squad
Select a player to view
their scouting card.
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their scouting card.
Schedule
Fixtures List
Stats
🥅 Attack & Offence
1.3/match
9 SOT
3.3/match
2.3/match
Goals/Shots
📐 Build-up & Possession
1120/1398 completed
12/59 completed
71/194 completed
🛡️ Defence & Goalkeeping
1.3/match
0 matches
40/72 tackles won
5.5/match
Effective
Shots blocked
🟨 Cards & Discipline
11.0/match
Data provided by FootieGuide research is for fan guide context. Verification source: ESPN API.
🥅 Attack & Offence
1.3/match
9 SOT
3.3/match
2.3/match
Goals/Shots
📐 Build-up & Possession
1120/1398 completed
12/59 completed
71/194 completed
🛡️ Defence & Goalkeeping
1.3/match
0 matches
40/72 tackles won
5.5/match
Effective
Shots blocked
🟨 Cards & Discipline
11.0/match
Data provided by FootieGuide research is for fan guide context. Verification source: ESPN API.
News
🛰️ External Headlines (Radar)
🩹 Injuries & Availability
If the press is bypassed, the same wide ambition can leave recovery defending exposed.
📝 Recent Warm-up Reports
No warm-up scorelines recorded.
🗣️ Manager Profile & Press
“Hard-working side that employs a high press and looks to dominate possession, finding attacking width via their full-backs.”
📋 Squad Context
Projected pre-tournament XI; 11 of 11 names match the June 2026 player snapshot. Final matchday selection still requires confirmation.
🛰️ External Headlines (Radar)
🩹 Injuries & Availability
If the press is bypassed, the same wide ambition can leave recovery defending exposed.
📝 Recent Warm-up Reports
No warm-up scorelines recorded.
🗣️ Manager Profile & Press
“Hard-working side that employs a high press and looks to dominate possession, finding attacking width via their full-backs.”
📋 Squad Context
Projected pre-tournament XI; 11 of 11 names match the June 2026 player snapshot. Final matchday selection still requires confirmation.
Group K Context
DR Congo is in Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.