Fifty-two years after a 9-0 hammering by Yugoslavia marked their chastening World Cup debut as Zaire, DR Congo have earned redemption by qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time, setting up a round-of-32 meeting with England.
Head coach Sebastien Desabre has transformed a team in crisis when he took over nearly four years ago. The Frenchman led them to fourth place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has instilled discipline and tactical nous. A back five was trialled just before the World Cup and maintained for the first two games – including a draw with Portugal – before they switched to 4-4-2 to beat Uzbekistan.
“DR Congo reach World Cup knockout stage for first time since 1974 humiliation, facing England in round of 32.”
Defensive solidity has underpinned their improvement: 29 clean sheets in 57 games under Desabre, and they have never lost by more than a one-goal margin when able to call on Europe-based players. Swift counter-attacks utilise the prowess of strikers Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa at running in behind defences.
Mental resilience, often lacking in the past, was forged during a protracted qualifying campaign that included three play-off matches. However, a lack of conditioning – and quality – is a concern, with the majority of regular starters struggling for playing time at their clubs in 2025-26.
Central defender Chancel Mbemba, 31, is captain and most-capped player. Despite two seasons as a peripheral figure with clubs in France, he remains integral. The former Newcastle player is out of contract with Lille this summer.
Belgium-born Noah Sadiki has added dynamism to midfield since earning his first cap in September 2024, though he was a surprise omission from the first two World Cup games. The 21-year-old has been a £15m revelation for Sunderland with his energy, athleticism and ball-carrying ability.
Wissa’s 2025-26 campaign never got going after joining Newcastle in a deal worth up to £55m. A serious knee injury delayed his debut and he only made eight starts in all competitions. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old was the joint-top scoring African player in the group stage with three goals. “We’ve got him back to his best,” Desabre said.
Bakambu, 35, is the oldest member of the squad but still one of the most effective. The striker scored four times in World Cup qualifiers and is on the cusp of becoming the country’s record goalscorer. England will now face a side that has seldom faced top-20 ranked teams in recent years, bar Senegal and Morocco – and with a poor record against both.