DR Congo
World Cup 2026 Group K — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The Leopards’ tournament blueprint
DR Congo’s qualification relied on defensive resilience and direct attacking — they conceded just 3 goals in 8 CAF qualifiers. Manager Sébastien Desabre has drilled a compact 4-2-3-1, with AS Monaco’s Chancel Mbemba marshaling the backline. Their tournament hopes hinge on exploiting set-pieces: 6’4" center-back Henoc Baka (Meizhou Hakka) and 6’3" striker Simon Banza (Braga) are primary targets. The 1974 squad lost all three games, including a 9-0 humiliation by Yugoslavia — this group aims to at least score their first World Cup goal.
Group stage landmines
Drawn against two European sides and a CONMEBOL opponent (exact groups TBD November 2025), Congo’s physical approach faces a tactical gauntlet. Their high foul rate (18.2 per game in qualifiers) risks punishment against technical dribblers. Key battles will be in wide areas, where full-backs Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient) and Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas) must balance defensive discipline with overlapping runs. The midfield duo of Samuel Bastien and Charles Pickel (Cremonese) will need to disrupt opponents’ rhythm without picking up early suspensions.
The Wissa factor
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa carries Congo’s creative burden — his 8 goals in qualifying included crucial winners against Mauritania and Sudan. Playing off Banza, his ability to drift wide and cut inside mirrors his Premier League role. At 28, this is his peak tournament. Congo’s record scorer (19 goals) must deliver against higher-caliber defenses than Africa offered. His partnership with teenage winger Silas Katompa (VfB Stuttgart) could define their attacking threat.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group K hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DR Congo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs DR CongoEstadio Houston | Wed, Jun 17, 2026 · 18:00 ET | k | – | Scheduled |
| Colombia vs DR CongoEstadio Guadalajara | Wed, Jun 24, 2026 · 03:00 ET | k | – | Scheduled |
| DR Congo vs UzbekistanEstadio Atlanta | Sun, Jun 28, 2026 · 00:30 ET | k | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
When did DR Congo last qualify for the World Cup?+
1974 (as Zaire), where they lost all three group games including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.
Who is DR Congo’s all-time top scorer?+
Yoane Wissa with 19 goals, surpassing Dieumerci Mbokani’s record during 2026 qualifying.
Which European clubs supply most Congo players?+
France (9 players in qualifying), Belgium (4), and England (3 including Wissa at Brentford).
How many goals did Congo score in 2026 qualifying?+
15 goals in 8 games, with Wissa (8) and Banza (4) accounting for 80% of the tally.
What’s Congo’s FIFA ranking ahead of 2026?+
Currently 63rd (July 2024), their highest since 2017 after rising 12 spots during qualifying.