World Cup 2026

DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup: roster, list, players, group and schedule

The African nation is back on soccer’s biggest stage for the first time since 1974, when it endured a record-equaling defeat in West Germany.

Eloisa Sanchez

AS USA

Update: Jun 11th, 2026 03:23 EDT

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DR Congo are a new name at the FIFA World Cup, although the country has competed in the tournament before under one of its previous guises: Zaire.

The African nation qualified for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, where it lost all three group-stage games by an aggregate score of 14-0. That included a 9-0 thrashing at the hands of Yugoslavia, tied for the biggest margin of defeat in the competition’s history.

Although drawn in a tough group alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, expect considerably better this time around.

Full DR Congo roster for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers

Mpasi Lionel (Le Havre AC)
Fayulu Timothy (FC Noah)
Epolo Matthieu (Standard Liège)

Defenders

Wan-Bissaka Aaron (West Ham United FC)
Kapuadi Steve (Widzew Łódź)
Tuanzebe Axel (Burnley FC)
Batubinsika Dylan (AEL FC)
Kayembe Joris (KRC Genk)
Mbemba Chancel (Lille OSC)
Kalulu Gedeon (Aris Limassol FC)
Masuaku Arthur (RC Lens)

Midfielders

Mukau Ngalayel (Lille OSC)
Mbuku Nathanael (Montpellier HSC)
Moutoussamy Samuel (Atromitos FC)
Bongonda Theo (FC Spartak Moscow)
Sadiki Noah (Sunderland AFC)
Tshibola Aaron (Kilmarnock FC)
Pickel Charles (RCD Espanyol)
Kayembe Edo (Watford FC)

Forwards

Cipenga Brian (CD Castellón)
Kakuta Gael (AEL FC)
Elia Meschack (Alanyaspor)
Bakambu Cedric (Real Betis)
Mayele Fiston (Pyramids FC)
Wissa Yoane (Newcastle United FC)
Banza Simon (Al Jazira)

DR Congo’s 2026 World Cup schedule and group

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Wednesday, June 17, 1pm ET: Portugal vs DR Congo
Tuesday, June 23, 10pm ET: Colombia vs DR Congo
Saturday, June 27, 7:30pm ET: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan