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Group K Fixtures

DR Congo face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K — arguably the most dramatic qualifying story of any team at the tournament. After eliminating Nigeria on penalties and Jamaica in extra time, the Leopards arrive at their first World Cup in 52 years with a squad that carries genuine pace, resilience and the belief that comes from such a remarkable journey. The Uzbekistan match on 27 June is the must-win game.

All times Eastern (ET). Under the expanded 48-team format, top two qualify directly; the best eight third-placed teams also progress to the Round of 32.

Manager: Sébastien Desabre

Sébastien Desabre (French) has been in charge since 2022 and was given a specific mandate: qualify for World Cup 2026. He has delivered spectacularly. CAF’s own profile describes his approach as built on “tactical discipline and collective organisation” — a compact mid-block that is difficult to break down, combined with rapid counterattacks through an energetic midfield.

The base shape is a 4-1-4-1 or 4-3-3, flexing into a 4-2-3-1 depending on the opposition. In defence, Mbemba marshals a narrow back four with Wan-Bissaka and Masuaku providing width only once the block is set. In transition, the team goes quickly and directly into Elia, Bongonda and Wissa in the wide channels, with Bakambu or Banza attacking the penalty area. Think organised, low-block + transition threat — not a high-press possession side.

Key Players to Watch

Chancel Mbemba (Lille) — The captain, record cap-holder and emotional leader of the squad. Mbemba scored the stoppage-time winner away to Cameroon in a crucial playoff match and is the bedrock of Desabre’s defensive structure. His reading of the game and aggressive leadership set the tone for the whole team.

Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) — Premier League-hardened and one of the names neutral fans will recognise. Wissa offers vertical runs, relentless pressing and goals cutting in from wide. He scored in key qualifying matches and warm-up games and is DR Congo’s most profile attacking threat internationally.

Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis) — The vice-captain and primary penalty-box finisher, with 21 goals in 69 caps. Bakambu was decisive in qualifying, scoring multiple goals against South Sudan and Senegal, and remains DR Congo’s most natural goal threat inside the area.

Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor) — The player who scored the equaliser against Nigeria in the play-off. A high-energy runner who links transitions and operates either as a winger or a pseudo-10, Elia is one of DR Congo’s three captains and brings infectious intensity.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham) — The former Manchester United right-back brings Premier League pedigree and defensive solidity to the right flank, alongside the athleticism to contribute in transition.

Full 26-Man Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

World Cup History — Back After 52 Years

DR Congo (then competing as Zaire) hold a unique place in African football history as the first Sub-Saharan African team to reach a World Cup, qualifying for the 1974 finals in West Germany. Their campaign ended at the group stage with three defeats and 14 goals conceded — including a famous 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia — but the significance of that first qualification has never faded.

2026 represents their second World Cup appearance and the first in 52 years. The “back after half a century” narrative features heavily in broadcast and press coverage around the team, and adds an extraordinary emotional dimension to their campaign. For Nigerian fans in particular, the story carries extra weight: it was DR Congo who eliminated the Super Eagles on penalties in the CAF play-offs to claim this spot.

Qualifying Route — The Most Dramatic Story

DR Congo’s path to the World Cup was extraordinary. In the CAF group stage, they finished second behind Senegal — winning away to South Sudan (4-1), Togo (1-0) and Sudan (1-0) before reaching the play-offs. In the play-offs, they beat Cameroon 1-0 in Rabat (Mbemba’s stoppage-time goal) and then eliminated Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw — a result that ended the Super Eagles’ World Cup dream. Their final hurdle was an inter-confederation play-off against Jamaica in Guadalajara, which they won 1-0 in extra time through Axel Tuanzebe’s header in the 100th minute. The result triggered a public holiday back in Kinshasa.

Form and Betting Odds

Across the last 14 competitive matches in the year leading into the tournament, DR Congo lost just once (to Senegal), with multiple clean sheets reflecting Desabre’s defensive solidity. They enter the World Cup in good competitive shape, though the quality of opposition steps up dramatically against Portugal and Colombia.

Betting markets have Portugal as heavy Group K favourites at around 1.45-1.50 (decimal). Colombia are second at 3.10-3.50, with DR Congo priced around 16/1-20/1 to win the group. For qualifying, one major book shows DR Congo at 2.20 (decimal) to reach the Round of 32 — roughly evens — reflecting the realistic path through the expanded format if they beat Uzbekistan and take something from either Portugal or Colombia.

The core betting angle is clear: underdog with a genuine path. Beat Uzbekistan and their chances of progressing as a third-placed team are very live, even without taking points off Portugal or Colombia.

For full DR Congo match tips and odds, see our World Cup 2026 Betting Tips page. Find the latest odds at the best betting sites in Nigeria.