More than half a century after their lone appearance on football’s grandest stage, DR Congo stand on the brink of history. The Leopards are one victory away from ending a 52-year absence from the FIFA World Cup, as they prepare to face Jamaica national football team in a decisive intercontinental playoff final in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The Central African nation last featured at the World Cup in 1974, and this latest push represents a remarkable resurgence under head coach Sébastien Desabre.
His side navigated a demanding qualification route, finishing runners-up to Senegal national football team before emerging victorious in a tense African playoff bracket.
Along the way, they edged past both Cameroon national football team and Nigeria national football team, underlining their growing pedigree.
[🔥 𝐉𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐃𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 🐆]
Le moment tant attendu est arrivé.
Nos Léopards 🇨🇩 affrontent la Jamaïque 🇯🇲 pour un rendez-vous décisif à Guadalajara 🇲🇽.
⚔️ Match international
📍 Estadio Akron
🗓 Mardi 31 mars
⏰ 21h00 GMT
⏰ 22h00 Kinshasa
⏰ 15h00 GuadalajaraDernière… pic.twitter.com/QqbSgFWOzy
— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) March 31, 2026
Standing between them and history, however, is a determined Jamaican side. The Caribbean outfit booked their place in this showdown after dispatching New Caledonia national football team in the playoff semi-finals.
Still, their path here carries a sense of unfinished business, having narrowly missed direct qualification after a frustrating goalless draw against Curaçao national football team on the final day of the CONCACAF campaign.
For DR Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe, the magnitude of the occasion is unmistakable.
“I’d definitely consider it as the biggest game in my football career,” he told Sportsworld on BBC World Service.
“This is one of those moments where this is bigger than just football, this is leaving a legacy behind, a moment in our history that we’ll always remember and always cherish,” he added.
Likely DR Congo setup
Desabre is expected to trust his most reliable core as the Leopards aim to seize their moment. The defensive unit could feature Joris Kayembe, Tuanzebe, captain Chancel Mbemba, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka across the back line.
In midfield, Samuel Moutoussamy is likely to anchor the trio alongside Noah Sadiki and rising talent Ngal’ayel Mukau.
The attacking line should see Yoane Wissa, fresh from scoring his ninth international goal, lead the charge, flanked by Cédric Bakambu and Meschack Elia.
Probable XI
M’Pasi (GK); Kayembe, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Elia, Bakambu, Wissa.
