DR Congo World Cup 2026: National history to be made with a single Celeste win

Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time header in the World Cup play-off against Jamaica sent DR Congo to the finals for the first time since competing as Zaire in 1974.

Now their job is to better the zero points they recorded 52 years ago, and there’s even hope they could get out of Group K. Here are my DR Congo World Cup 2026 predictions, a look at their squad and a summary of their chances in the competition.

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Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (AEL), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (AEL), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock)

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

La Celeste arrive in North America with nothing much to lose given that this is a rare visit to the World Cup finals. Yet this could also be a massive opportunity considering the increased spots in the knockouts.

One win and a couple of competitive showings might just about be enough for Sebastien Desabre’s side to reach the Round of 32 and then all bets are off depending on who stands in their way.

World Cup Odds

The Leopards have a number of key names who will be big factors in whether they can go on and make an impact. They start off against Portugal and then play Colombia before ending up with a clash against Uzbekistan.

That means they can potentially build into the Group K campaign, so the experience of players like Tuanzebe, Yoane Wissa, Chancel Mbema and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be crucial early on in keeping the rest of the squad’s spirits up as they look to kick into gear in games two and three in particular.

If they can get even a couple of narrow defeats from the first two games and then put in a huge performances in the final fixture, then progression is very much on the cards.

Group K Fixtures:

17 June 12pm local (6pm BST) - vs Portugal (Houston)

23 June 8pm local (24 June 3am BST) - vs Colombia (Guadalajara)

27 June 7:30pm local (28 June 12:30am BST) - vs Uzbekistan (Atlanta)

Player to watch: Yoane Wissa

Back from a cruciate ligament injury, Wissa will be keen to put a troublesome 2025/26 campaign to bed with a big performance for his country.

He might not have delivered his best form for Newcastle United since a headline-grabbing £50m move, but his days with Lorient and Brentford showed just what a player he can be.

There’s no guarantee that he can turn that sort of performance level on and off, but it’s hard to imagine DR Congo can excel if he doesn’t step up to the plate. Especially against Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Football Odds

Prediction: Third place in Group K

Given the timings of their group fixtures, Groups K and L know the status of their third-place sides if they are to progress.

The bad news for whoever ends in that spot in this pool is that they will likely face England as Group L's winners in the Round of 32. The only alternative is automatic elimination.

So while DR Congo will be pretty much breaking their necks to reach the knockout stage, their stay might be short-lived after that. But they’ll consider that very much a bridge to cross once they reach it.