DR Congo national football team head coach Sébastien Desabre is set to unveil his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Leopards prepare for their long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.
The French tactician is expected to announce a 26-man squad on Monday, 11 May 2026, ahead of the tournament, which will be hosted across United States, Canada and Mexico.
The upcoming squad announcement represents a major moment for Congolese football, with the nation preparing for its first appearance at the World Cup in more than five decades.
DR Congo secured qualification through the intercontinental play-offs, completing a remarkable journey back to the global tournament and sparking celebrations among supporters across the country. The achievement marked one of the most important moments in the recent history of Congolese football, with fans now eagerly awaiting the beginning of the competition.
The 2026 edition of the tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanding the competition and offering more nations the opportunity to compete on the world stage. For DR Congo, however, the challenge awaiting them remains considerable.
The Leopards have been drawn into a difficult Group K alongside Portugal national football team, Colombia national football team and Uzbekistan national football team.
Their campaign will begin with a high-profile encounter against Portugal, led by veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The fixture is already generating significant excitement given the global profile of the Portuguese side and the magnitude of DR Congo’s return to the competition.
Despite the difficult group, there is growing belief within Congolese football that the team can compete strongly at the tournament under Desabre’s leadership.
Since taking charge of the national team, the French coach has overseen a significant transformation in both results and mentality. He has been widely credited with rebuilding confidence within the squad and restoring DR Congo’s competitiveness at continental level.
Under his guidance, the Leopards have developed into a more organised and disciplined side capable of challenging stronger opponents. His work has also helped re-establish DR Congo among Africa’s leading football nations after years of inconsistency on the international stage.
Attention is now focused on which players will make the final squad. Desabre is expected to rely on a combination of experienced internationals and emerging young talents as he attempts to build a balanced team capable of competing against elite opposition.
The announcement is likely to generate major debate among supporters, particularly given the historic importance of the tournament for the country.
For DR Congo, progression beyond the group stage will demand consistency, tactical discipline and composure in decisive moments. However, after waiting 52 years to return to the World Cup, the Leopards now have the opportunity to showcase a new generation of Congolese football talent on the global stage.
