Congo DR

DR Congo (then Zaire) became the first Sub-Saharan African team at a World Cup in 1974, and their player Mwepu Ilunga famously ran out of the wall to kick the ball away during a Brazil free-kick — he later revealed he did it as a protest, hoping to be sent off.

Axel Tuanzebe's winning goal against Jamaica in the 100th minute on 31 March 2026 made DR Congo the very last team to book their spot in the 48-team tournament.

Captain Chancel Mbemba is DR Congo's all-time appearance record holder with over 107 caps, having played top-flight football in England (Newcastle, Man Utd), Portugal (Porto), and France (Marseille, Lille).

Cédric Bakambu, at 35, is chasing all-time top scorer Dieumerci Mbokani's record — entering the tournament just one goal behind with 21 international goals.

The squad of 26 represents clubs across 15 different countries, from the Premier League and Ligue 1 to the Egyptian Premier League and the Armenian top flight.

Months before Zaire's famous 1974 World Cup, striker Mulamba Ndaye fired them to the Africa Cup of Nations title with nine goals in one tournament — a single-AFCON scoring record that still stands more than 50 years later.

Congolese club TP Mazembe shocked the world in 2010 by becoming the first team from outside Europe or South America to reach the Club World Cup final — with goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba celebrating by bouncing across the pitch on his backside.