Nation dossier · Group K · In contention
DR Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Up next DR Congo v Uzbekistan · Group K
Title probability
0.0%
as of 2026-06-25
Overview
DR Congo arrive at their first World Cup since 1974 carrying the weight of a footballing giant that has long underachieved on the global stage. The Leopards announced their renewed ambition with a stirring run to the AFCON semi-finals, blending European-based talent with a fearless attacking identity.
Under a settled spine led by captain Chancel Mbemba, this is arguably the strongest Congolese generation in decades. Qualification itself was a triumph, and the squad arrives with nothing to lose and genuine belief they can spring surprises in Group K.
Capital
Kinshasa
Population
99,000,000
Confederation
CAF
FIFA code
COD
From Wikipedia
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo and formerly named Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is the second-largest country in Africa and the eleventh-largest in the world. With a population of around 124 million people, the Democratic Republic…
Source: Wikipedia →Squad
- 118caps
Lionel Mpasi
Rodez AF · Reliable shot-stopping number one
- 168caps
Timothy Fayulu
FC Sion · Composed Swiss-based deputy
- 233caps
Dimitry Bertaud
Montpellier · Promising third-choice option
- 215caps
Gédéon Kalulu
Ajaccio · Energetic overlapping right-back
- 335caps
Arthur Masuaku
Sunderland · Attacking left-back with delivery
- 480caps
Chancel Mbemba
Lille · Captain and defensive rock
- 520caps
Dylan Batubinsika
Saint-Étienne · Aggressive centre-back presence
- 614caps
Rocky Bushiri
Hibernian · Commanding central defender
- 1210caps
Aaron Tshibola
Maccabi Tel Aviv · Powerful aerial defender
- 1312caps
Henoc Inonga
TP Mazembe · Home-based defensive cover
- 1522caps
Joris Kayembe
Genk · Versatile defensive flank player
- 712caps
Grady Diangana
West Brom · Direct creative wide threat
- 830caps
Edo Kayembe
Watford · Box-to-box engine room
- 1030caps
Gaël Kakuta
Amiens · Clever creative playmaker
- 1140caps
Théo Bongonda
Spartak Moscow · Pacey wing tormentor
- 1416caps
Samuel Moutoussamy
Nantes · Tidy ball-circulating midfielder
- 1824caps
Charles Pickel
Cremonese · Combative deep-lying anchor
- 208caps
Noah Sadiki
Union SG · Rising dynamic young midfielder
- 955caps
Cédric Bakambu
Real Betis · Talismanic clinical goalscorer
- 1720caps
Yoane Wissa
Brentford · Sharp Premier League finisher
- 1915caps
Silas Katompa
VfB Stuttgart · Explosive wide attacker
- 2114caps
Fiston Mayele
Pyramids FC · Powerful target forward
- 2228caps
Meschack Elia
Young Boys · Relentless running winger
Model
as of 2026-06-25Exp. points
2.55
Proj. finish
33.0
Seed Elo
1660
Title-probability trajectory
Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots
Matches
History
2022
Did not qualify / Group stage
Culture
Football culture
Football is a national obsession, with TP Mazembe of Lubumbashi a continental powerhouse that famously reached a Club World Cup final. The game offers both escapism and pride, and matches are accompanied by drumming, dancing and vivid color.
Did you know
- As Zaire in 1974, they were the first Black African team at a World Cup.
- TP Mazembe reached the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup final.
- The Congo River is the world's deepest, plunging over 220 metres.
- Congolese rumba is recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage.
- DR Congo has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, in 1968 and 1974.