Universitatea Craiova forward Steven Nsimba has fuelled speculation over a possible international future with DR Congo after sharing images celebrating the Léopards’ qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 28-year-old posted photos of the Congolese national team’s celebrations on his social media accounts, accompanied by a reference to the country’s flag, prompting widespread discussion among supporters about a potential commitment to the Léopards.
Although Nsimba has not publicly declared his international allegiance in the past, the post has been widely interpreted as a possible indication of his interest in representing DR Congo.
Born in Ivry-sur-Seine, France, Nsimba remains eligible through his Congolese heritage, but neither the player nor the Congolese Football Federation has confirmed whether discussions over a future call-up have taken place.
DR Congo’s World Cup run attracting diaspora talent
The Léopards’ impressive performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have strengthened the appeal of the national team among players with Congolese roots across Europe.
The country’s qualification for the knockout stages has generated renewed optimism around the national team project, with several dual-national players reportedly monitoring its progress.
Nsimba’s social media activity comes amid growing interest from members of the Congolese diaspora as DR Congo continues to raise its profile on the international stage.
While no official approach has been confirmed, the timing of the post has intensified speculation about the striker’s international ambitions.
Strong club season boosts credentials
Nsimba heads into the new season on the back of an impressive campaign with Romanian side Universitatea Craiova.
The forward played a key role as the club secured a domestic league and cup double while also qualifying for the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
He finished the season with 13 goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, establishing himself as one of Craiova’s most influential attacking players.
Before moving to Romania, Nsimba built his reputation in France with US Avranches, where he continued his development and attracted attention through his consistent performances.
International future remains open
Although Nsimba’s social media post has sparked widespread discussion, there has been no official confirmation regarding his international future.
Should he decide to represent DR Congo, the striker would add further depth to a national team that continues to strengthen by attracting players from across the Congolese diaspora.
For now, the speculation remains just that, but his latest public gesture has added fresh intrigue to the Léopards’ ongoing efforts to expand their talent pool as they build on their historic World Cup campaign.
