The DR Congo national football team have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating the Jamaica national football team 1–0 in extra time of the inter-confederation playoff final. The decisive goal was scored by Axel Tuanzebe, sealing a historic return to the global tournament.
The victory marks DR Congo’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire. The tightly contested match remained goalless in regulation time before Tuanzebe’s extra-time strike confirmed qualification and sparked celebrations among players and supporters.
With the result, DR Congo secured one of the final slots for the 2026 tournament and will compete in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. The qualification represents a major achievement for the Leopards, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
⚽ Unlike Italy, who missed out, DR Congo will now join other qualified nations at the expanded 48-team World Cup.
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