2026 DR Congo World Cup roster: Complete 26-man team

DR Congo did not take the short road to the World Cup, but Les Leopards qualified and manager Sebastien Desabre has named his 26-man roster for the tournament.

After finishing second to African champions Senegal in the qualification group, DR Congo had to beat Cameroon and Nigeria — which went down to a penalty shootout — to claim a place in FIFA's intercontinental playoff. In Mexico, DR Congo again played out a tight match, going to extra time against Jamaica but eventually finding a breakthrough goal in extra time that sent the African team to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when it was known as Zaire.

Congo returns to Jalisco as part of its World Cup slate, meeting Colombia in Mexico after an opener against Portugal and before a group final against Uzbekistan, and it will look to do more than simply squeak by.

Premier League talents like defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and forward Yoane Wissa make up the roster along with a number of regulars based in France, including captain Chancel Mbemba, and elsewhere in Europe.

DR Congo 2026 World Cup roster

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel ‌Mpasi (Le Havre)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky ⁠Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur ⁠Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack ‌Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo ​Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel ‌Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)

Forwards: Cedric ​Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

DR Congo 2026 World Cup opponents

DR Congo was drawn into Group K along with the following teams:

• Portugal
• Colombia
• Uzbekistan

More: Here's how to buy 2026 World Cup Final tickets in New York

DR Congo 2026 World Cup schedule

Check out DR Congo's World Cup schedule for the group stage.

• Portugal vs. DR Congo on June 17 at NRG Stadium in Houston
• Colombia vs. DR Congo on June 23 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco
• Uzbekistan vs. DR Congo on June 27 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

Are World Cup tickets available on the resale market?

According to FIFA, its marketplace "enables fans who can no longer attend matches to sell their tickets to other fans in a secure and authorized environment, safeguarding against invalid or unauthorized resale."

Of course, the marketplace will be used not just by fans who can no longer attend matches, but also those looking to make a profit on high-demand games.

The FIFA resale marketplace opened on Thursday, April 2.