DR Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre says his side leave the 2026 FIFA World Cup with their heads held high despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to England in the Round of 32.
The Leopards bowed out after England captain Harry Kane scored both goals to send the Three Lions into the Round of 16, bringing an end to DR Congo’s memorable World Cup campaign.
Speaking after the match, Desabre admitted his side were disappointed with the result but insisted they had shown enough quality to compete against one of the tournament favourites.
“We are disappointed because we believed in our chances, but I think we played a good match,” Desabre said.
“When one of the best players in the world scores two goals against you, naturally it becomes very difficult.”
The French coach praised the commitment of his players throughout the tournament, describing the experience as another important step in the growth of Congolese football.
“We must congratulate the players because this is how Congolese football continues to grow,” he said.
“Perhaps we lacked a little experience during the decisive moments, but we continue to improve.”
Desabre reveals conversation with Harry Kane
Desabre also revealed the brief exchange he shared with Kane after the final whistle, admitting his admiration for the England captain’s remarkable consistency in major tournaments.
“I shook his hand and asked him, ‘Don’t you ever get tired of deciding the biggest matches?’” Desabre revealed.
“He smiled and replied, ‘I’m just doing my job.’”
The DR Congo coach described Kane as one of the most complete forwards in modern football, highlighting the England striker’s intelligence and influence beyond simply scoring goals.
“Harry Kane is no longer just a goalscorer,” Desabre said.
“He drops deep to create attacks, brings his teammates into play, presses defenders and then arrives inside the penalty area at exactly the right moment. We prepared all week to stop him, but his football intelligence always allows him to make the difference.”
‘A historic achievement for Congolese football’
Despite the defeat, Desabre believes DR Congo have taken a major step forward by returning to the World Cup after more than five decades.
“Sometimes you don’t lose because you played badly, but because your opponent has an exceptional player, and that’s what happened against Harry Kane,” he said.
The coach concluded by describing the tournament as a milestone in the country’s football history.
“Qualifying for the World Cup after 52 years is already a historic achievement for our country,” he said.
“Whatever the result, this tournament has been a great success for us, and what we have achieved is an important step towards building the future of Congolese football.”
