CAF · Group K
DR Congo at FIFA World Cup 2026
DR Congo qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group K opponents
DR Congo plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
DR Congo fixtures
DR Congo in the tournament
DR Congo arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #60 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 62/100. CAF (Africa) sends 9 teams, up from 5 in the previous edition. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022.
The 48-team format puts DR Congo in Group K with Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #34, with DR Congo the lowest-ranked side. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
DR Congo squad for World Cup 2026
Announced May 19, 2026 · 26 players · Head coach: Sebastien Desabre
DR Congo's first World Cup since 1974 -- when they played as Zaire and became the first sub-Saharan African nation in the tournament. Captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille) and West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka anchor a defence-heavy squad. Newcastle's Yoane Wissa is the standout attacking threat.
Goalkeepers3
- Matthieu Epolo(Standard Liège)
- Timothy Fayulu(Noah)
- Lionel Mpasi(Le Havre)
Defenders9
- Dylan Batubinsika(Larisa)
- Rocky Bushiri(Hibernian)
- Gedeon Kalulu(Aris Limassol)
- Steve Kapuadi(Widzew Łódź)
- Joris Kayembe(Racing Genk)
- Arthur Masuaku(Racing Lens)
- Chancel MbembaCaptain(Lille)
- Axel Tuanzebe(Burnley)
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka(West Ham United)
Midfielders10
- Theo Bongonda(Spartak Moscow)
- Brian Cipenga(Castellón)
- Meshack Elia(Alanyaspor)
- Gael Kakuta(Larisa)
- Edo Kayembe(Watford)
- Nathanael Mbuku(Montpellier)
- Samuel Moutoussamy(Atromitos)
- Ngal'ayel Mukau(Lille)
- Charles Pickel(Espanyol)
- Noah Sadiki(Sunderland)
Forwards4
- Cedric Bakambu(Real Betis)
- Simon Banza(Al-Jazira)
- Fiston Mayele(Pyramids)
- Yoane Wissa(Newcastle United)
Sources: Sky Sports. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about DR Congo
When does DR Congo play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
DR Congo plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 17, 2026. The opener is against POR. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is DR Congo in at the World Cup 2026?
DR Congo is in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is DR Congo's FIFA ranking?
DR Congo entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #60 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the wider qualifier pool. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can DR Congo win the World Cup 2026?
DR Congo's pre-tournament strength rating is 62/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are tournament debutants or lower-ranked qualifiers; reaching the second round would be a notable achievement. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.