The Democratic Republic of Congo is on all fronts. Qualified for the intercontinental play-offs of the 2026 World Cup in March thanks to their success in the African play-offs, the Leopards will first have to concentrate on this crucial deadline in Morocco. Fourth in the CAN in 2023, they are defending a semi-final and will aim for at least a similar result this year.
The DR Congo calendar
The list of selected players
Guardians : Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège/BEL), Timothy Fayulu (Noah/ARM), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre/FRA).
Defenders : Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian/ECO), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol/CHY), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Varsovie/POL), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk/BEL), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland/ANG), Chancel Mbemba (Lille/FRA), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley/ANG), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham/ANG).
Backgrounds : Théo Bangonda (Spart with Moscou/RUS), Miche-Ang Balissha (Celtic/ECO), Brian Brian/ESP), Edo Kayembe (Watford/ANG), Nathanas of Mumuuku (Atpey/FRA), Saul Mupallier/FRA ), the Support of the Mukets/DY ), NOT (Espayol/ESP), Noah Sadki (Sinderland/ANG), Cucut Cu.
Attackers : Simon Banza (Alanyack/TUR), Fiston Mayele (Pyramis/EGY).
Player to watch: Chancel Mbemba
Another well-known face of our dear Ligue 1. Permanent captain of the Democratic Republic of Congo with 101 matches played and valuable goals, notably during the African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, Chancel Mbemba is now playing in Lille after three seasons in Marseille. Strong and reliable in central defense, he quickly made a place for himself in the Mastiff squad, confirming that he was still at the highest level at 31 years old.
