Sebastien Desabre has defended his selection decisions after announcing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s squad for the
2026 World Cup, amid debate over several high-profile omissions.The French coach said his choices reflected a long-term strategy focused on stability and continuity, insisting the tournament was “not the time for experiments” as the Leopards prepare for their first World Cup appearance in 52 years.The announcement of the squad prompted criticism from some supporters and observers who questioned the absence of a number of players. Desabre, however, moved quickly to explain the reasoning behind his selections, stressing the importance of maintaining the core group that has been developed since he took charge in 2022.“Unfortunately, we can’t call up everyone. We’ve used 55 players since I took charge in 2022. So yes, the selection was straightforward, but it fits into a kind of continuity for this project […] The World Cup is not the time for experiments. We must reinforce what we’ve already done well,” said the national coach.Desabre also highlighted the need for consistency after several years spent building the side’s tactical identity and collective understanding.“We had to make rational decisions, based on what we’ve achieved over the past four years. Much has been built tactically and in terms of work habits. The World Cup is not the time for experiments,” he said.Since his appointment, Desabre has shaped the Congolese national team around tactical organisation, experience and team cohesion. His tenure has coincided with a revival in the fortunes of the Leopards on the continental stage.Under his leadership, DR Congo reached the semi-finals of one Africa Cup of Nations and the quarter-finals of another, performances that restored confidence in a side that had struggled to establish itself consistently among Africa’s leading nations in previous years.The coach’s methods have now delivered what many supporters consider the team’s greatest achievement in decades — qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The tournament appearance will mark DR Congo’s return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1974.That historic qualification has increased expectations around the squad, while also intensifying scrutiny of Desabre’s decisions. The omissions from the final selection have become one of the main talking points following the squad announcement.Despite the controversy, Desabre has made clear that he believes continuity offers the best chance of success at the tournament. By retaining players who have been involved throughout the qualifying campaign and recent international competitions, he hopes to preserve the tactical discipline and collective chemistry that have become hallmarks of his team.The coach’s comments suggest he sees squad stability as essential ahead of a competition where preparation time is limited and margins between success and failure are often small.DR Congo now head into the 2026 World Cup carrying both renewed confidence and heightened expectations after their resurgence under Desabre. While debate continues over the players left out, the coach remains adamant that loyalty to the foundations built over the last four years gives the Leopards their strongest opportunity to compete on the world stage.
Related World Cup coverage: DR Congo World Cup 2026 guide | World Cup squads tracker
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Andrews Sefa Bamfo is a promising young football writer and reporter, recognised as one of the rising talents in African football journalism. He specialises in match reporting, features and on-ground coverage, bringing fresh perspective and energy to the industry.He is educated at the University of Ghana and has gained valuable experience working with one of Ghana’s leading media organisations, TV3, where he developed his skills in both television reporting and football journalism.Andrews’ talent and potential were further recognised when he was selected for the prestigious CAF Young Reporters Programme, where he received advanced media training in partnership with CANAL+. This exposure has helped shape his understanding of modern sports journalism and storytelling.Since then, he has continued to grow in the field and is widely regarded as one of the emerging voices in African football media. He is currently a Staff Writer at African.Football, contributing to the platform’s coverage with insightful reports and engaging content for a global audience.
