01
Guide
Strengths
FIFA Congo DR profile names Bakambu, Mbemba and Masuaku among a golden generation; no FIFA World Cup 2026 squad announced.
World Cup 2026 Team Guide
Congo DR
Congo DR
Fixtures set / Group K / Key player pending
Group outlook
Group K
Congo DR have played 1 group match and currently have 1 point.
Current record
1 pts
3 fixtures in current tournament data
2026 World Cup Status
Congo DR at the 2026 World Cup
Congo DR have played 1 group match and currently have 1 point.
Results so far
1 playedPhase
Fixtures set
3 fixtures in current tournament data
Quick Facts
Guide essentials
Group K
Group
Sébastien Desabre
Head coach
Player watch pending
Core player
Jun 22, 2026
Data checked
CAF
Confederation
46
FIFA ranking
1
World Cup appearances
Debut as Congo DR in 2026
Best World Cup
Zaire appeared in 1974
Last World Cup
Tournament storylines
What matters now
Why Congo DR are worth watching in 2026
02
Guide
Concerns
Final squad, injuries, and role clarity should be checked again when official squad data is published.
03
Guide
Fan storyline
DR Congo have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will make their first appearance at the tournament in 52 years. After finishing second in CAF qualifying Group B, they secured their place in the finals through the inter-confederation play-offs. The 2026 tournament marks DR Congo’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire. Their squad for the tournament has already been announced, with head coach Sébastien Desabre selecting a group that includes experienced players such as Cédric Bakambu, Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku. DR Congo are now competing in Group K at the 2026 World Cup, where they face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
04
Guide
Historical pedigree
Congo DR are treated as a 2026 World Cup debut story until verified historical records say otherwise.
05
Guide
Current generation
The current-generation player hook is pending verified player data.
06
Guide
Tactical identity
Tactical identity notes are based on verified team context and avoid unsupported claims.
07
Guide
Tournament advantage
Congo DR's group path runs through Colombia, Portugal, Uzbekistan.
Squad & Key Players
World Cup Squad watch
Squad pending
Final 2026 World Cup squad data is not treated as official until the source record confirms it.
Squad pending: final World Cup squad data will appear here once verified player data is available.
Tactical Identity
How to read this team
Tactical identity notes are pending verified editorial input.
Tactics
Pending
Tactical identity notes are pending verified editorial input.
World Cup History
Team History: Congo DR FIFA World Cup record
The history of the Congo DR at the World Cup is brief but still holds some significance. The only other time the country made it to the World Cup was in 1974 when it was called Zaire and competed in the finals in West Germany. After 2026, they will get the chance to compete again, but this time it will be under the name Congo DR. With such a long absence from the competition, the importance of the team’s qualification campaign can not be understated. It is an opportunity to return to the world stage and start a new chapter in the history books of the World Cup.
AppearancesDebut in 2026
First appearance2026
Last appearanceZaire appeared in 1974
Best finishDebut as Congo DR in 2026
TitlesNo title data in current record
Tournament-by-Tournament Results
Historical results table
Congo DR are listed as a 2026 World Cup debut team in the current data, so there is no previous FIFA World Cup results table to show.
Memorable World Cup Moments
Moments to know
Memorable World Cup moments are pending verified editorial history notes.
Group Rivals
Same-group opponents
FAQ
Congo DR World Cup 2026 FAQ
What group are Congo DR in at the 2026 World Cup?
Congo DR are in Group K. Congo DR have played 1 group match and currently have 1 point.
Has Congo DR announced their 2026 World Cup squad?
Squad pending
Who is Congo DR's key player to watch?
The key-player field is pending verified editorial data.
What is Congo DR's World Cup history?
The history of the Congo DR at the World Cup is brief but still holds some significance. The only other time the country made it to the World Cup was in 1974 when it was called Zaire and competed in the finals in West Germany. After 2026, they will get the chance to compete again, but this time it will be under the name Congo DR. With such a long absence from the competition, the importance of the team’s qualification campaign can not be understated. It is an opportunity to return to the world stage and start a new chapter in the history books of the World Cup.
Sources / Last Updated
Data provenance
Team recordEditorial team guide record
Fixtures and standingsWorld Cup fixture and standing data
Squad dataPlayer records linked to this team
Last updatedJun 22, 2026