Congo DR World Cup 2026 Squad
FIFA COD · Group K · Head coach: Sebastiensebastien Serge Louis Desabre
The Leopards arrive via FIFA Intercontinental Playoff 1, bringing Central African athleticism and a squad built around European-based forwards who can stretch lines in the expanded 48-team format. FIFA confirmed the squad on 2026-06-03. Congo DR travel with 26 players in Group K, and the table below mirrors the official PDF with every shirt number and club.
Group K is headlined by Portugal and Colombia. DR Congo likely need a result against Uzbekistan plus a draw against one favourite to stay alive for the eight best third-place teams. Sebastiensebastien Serge Louis Desabre leads the side with a clear tactical identity: 4-2-3-1 with rapid wide forwards, physical midfield duels and direct transitions when the first press is beaten.
Survived Intercontinental Playoff 1 (Congo DR, Jamaica, New Caledonia) to fill the Group K slot beside Portugal and Colombia. 1974 as Zaire. group stage; no appearance under the DR Congo name. FIFA's published shirt names include CIPENGA, KAKUTA, ELIA and BAKAMBU among the 26 call-ups. 5 players were listed with French clubs at submission. Goalkeeper No. 1 MPASI (Le Havre AC (FRA)) anchors the defensive unit on the sheet. European technical control vs Congolese pace. DR Congo must win midfield duels and protect rest defence. Round of 32 as a bold target; beating Portugal or Colombia once would announce DR Congo as a serious underdog.
Official squad list (26 players)
| # | POS | Name on shirt | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | MPASI | Le Havre AC (FRA) |
| 2 | DF | WAN BISSAKA | West Ham United FC (ENG) |
| 3 | DF | KAPUADI | Widzew Ł ód ź (POL) |
| 4 | DF | TUANZEBE | Burnley FC (ENG) |
| 5 | DF | BATUBINSIKA | AEL FC (GRE) |
| 6 | MF | MUKAU | Lille OSC (FRA) |
| 7 | MF | MBUKU | Montpellier HSC (FRA) |
| 8 | MF | MOUTOUSSAMY | Atromitos FC (GRE) |
| 9 | FW | CIPENGA | CD Castellón (ESP) |
| 10 | MF | BONGONDA | FC Spartak Moscow (RUS) |
| 11 | FW | KAKUTA | AEL FC (GRE) |
| 12 | DF | J. KAYEMBE | KRC Genk (BEL) |
| 13 | FW | ELIA | Alanyaspor (TUR) |
| 14 | MF | SADIKI | Sunderland AFC (ENG) |
| 15 | MF | TSHIBOLA | Kilmarnock FC (SCO) |
| 16 | GK | FAYULU | FC Noah (ARM) |
| 17 | FW | BAKAMBU | Real Betis (ESP) |
| 18 | MF | PICKEL | RCD Espanyol (ESP) |
| 19 | FW | MAYELE | Pyramids FC (EGY) |
| 20 | FW | WISSA | Newcastle United FC (ENG) |
| 21 | GK | EPOLO | Standard Liège (BEL) |
| 22 | DF | MBEMBA | Lille OSC (FRA) |
| 23 | FW | BANZA | Al Jazira (UAE) |
| 24 | DF | G. KALULU | Aris Limassol FC (CYP) |
| 25 | MF | KAYEMBE | Watford FC (ENG) |
| 26 | DF | MASUAKU | RC Lens (FRA) |
Source: FIFA squad list published 2026-06-03. GK — Goalkeeper; DF — Defender; MF — Midfielder; FW — Forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Leopards did DR Congo register after the intercontinental playoff?
DR Congo (COD) secured Playoff 1 and listed 26 players on 2026-06-03. They enter Group K with Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, and FIFA's official sheet with African and European-based call-ups is published above.
Who is Congo DR's head coach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Sebastiensebastien Serge Louis Desabre (France) is the head coach on FIFA's published roster. 4-2-3-1 with rapid wide forwards, physical midfield duels and direct transitions when the first press is beaten.
Who does Congo DR play in the 2026 World Cup group stage?
Congo DR face Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. Group K is headlined by Portugal and Colombia. DR Congo likely need a result against Uzbekistan plus a draw against one favourite to stay alive for the eight best third-place teams. European technical control vs Congolese pace. DR Congo must win midfield duels and protect rest defence.
Where is the full Congo DR World Cup 2026 roster table?
Every shirt number, NAME ON SHIRT, club, height and date of birth for all 26 call-ups is on the official Congo DR squad page linked in this article. The blog focuses on analysis; the roster page has the sortable FIFA table.
What does NAME ON SHIRT mean on Congo DR's FIFA list?
NAME ON SHIRT is the exact text FIFA registers for the back of the jersey. It can differ from passport names (abbreviations, accents, or nicknames). Use the official squad page to match each player's number to their shirt name.