DR Congo at World Cup 2026 Match Guide: DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, made history as the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to compete at the FIFA World Cup, their only participation until this year.
The Leopards were the continent’s sole representative in the 1974 World Cup hosted by West Germany.
However, it turned out to be one of the worst performances by any nation at the global football event, as DR Congo lost all of their group stage matches, conceding 14 goals and scoring none.
Scotland dominated them 2-0 in Dortmund on June 14, 1974. In their second group stage fixture, Yugoslavia demolished Zaire 9-0 in Gelsenkirchen on June 18. It remains one of the heaviest defeats suffered by an African country at the World Cup.
DR Congo concluded their abysmal World Cup debut with a 3-0 reverse against Brazil.
After their ’74 entrance, the Leopards then endured a long exile from the tournament, missing the next 13 editions through a combination of failed qualification attempts, withdrawals, and bans.
DR Congo’s World Cup 2026 match guide
DR Congo were the only African nation to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup through the intercontinental play-offs, edging past Jamaica in Guadalajara on March 31, as Al Jazeera noted.
Poised to shine in their return to the world’s premier football competition after 52 years, DR Congo’s World Cup 2026 guide throws up some interesting fixtures.
DR Congo’s World Cup Group K opponents
During the group stages of the 2026 tournament, DR Congo will take on Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia in Group K.
🐆La RDC dans le même groupe que le Portugal !
Après leur qualification pour la Coupe du Monde 2026, les Léopards complètent ce groupe déjà relevé.
Ils y affronteront également l’Ouzbékistan et la Colombie.
Selon vous, la RD Congo a-t-elle une chance de se qualifier ?#Congo… pic.twitter.com/DVp6IQNyqK
— LEOPARDSFOOT (@leopardsfoot) April 3, 2026
DR Congo’s World Cup 2026 fixture schedule
Portugal vs DR Congo
Date: June 17, 2026
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Kick-off: 5:00 PM (Ghana time)
Colombia vs DR Congo
Date: June 24, 2026
Venue: Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
Kick-off: 2:00 AM (Ghana time)
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
Date: June 27, 2026
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Kick-off: 11:30 PM (Ghana time)
🐆 Le onze entrant des Léopards face au Chili pour ce match amical international. Sébastien Desabre mise sur un onze équilibré avec Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba (capitaine) en défense, Moutoussamy et Mukau au milieu, tandis que Mbuku, Bongonda et Wissa seront chargés d’animer le secteur… pic.twitter.com/NvFGFDHVKX
— LEOPARDSFOOT (@leopardsfoot) June 9, 2026
DR Congo’s previous World Cup appearances
1974 – Group stage exit
DR Congo’s all-time World Cup stats
World Cup record:
- Matches played: 3
- Wins: 0
- Draws: 0
- Losses: 3
- Goals scored: 0
- Goals conceded: 14
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