DR Congo will face a stern challenge at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being drawn in a difficult Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
The Central African nation booked their place at the tournament with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in an intercontinental play-off final in Mexico, marking their first appearance at the finals in 52 years.
Axel Tuanzebe was the hero on the night, scoring in the 100th minute after reacting quickest to a deflected corner.
The goal came after a tightly contested match in which clear chances were limited, with Cedric Bakambu seeing two efforts ruled out for offside during normal time.
In the build-up, Tuanzebe had told the BBC the match was the biggest of his career, and his decisive contribution ensured a historic outcome for his country.
The Leopards now turn their attention to a group widely regarded as one of the more challenging in the competition.
Portugal, one of Europe’s most experienced sides, headline the group and are expected to pose a significant test.
Colombia bring technical quality and attacking flair from South America, while Uzbekistan are considered a disciplined and determined team capable of causing problems.
DR Congo will open their campaign against Portugal on 17 June, before taking on Colombia a week later on 24 June.
Their final group match will be against Uzbekistan on 27 June.
The draw sets up a demanding path for coach Sebastien Desabre and his squad, who will be aiming to prove they can compete at the highest level.
Their qualification has already sparked excitement among supporters, many of whom have waited decades for a return to the global stage.
The country’s only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire.
That tournament ended in disappointment, and the current generation now has an opportunity to write a different story.
With a population of over 110 million people and a strong following across the diaspora, expectations will be high despite the difficulty of the group.
The journey to qualification, sealed by Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal, has already become a defining moment in the nation’s football history.
The challenge now will be to build on that momentum when the tournament begins in June 2026.
For DR Congo, the return to the World Cup is both a celebration of progress and the start of a new test, one that will require resilience, discipline and belief against some of the world’s top footballing nations.
