FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have extended their formal congratulations to the Democratic Republic of Congo following the nation’s successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Leopards secured their place on the global stage on Wednesday morning after a tense intercontinental playoff final, where they emerged with a narrow 1-0 victory over Jamaica.
The decisive moment of the match belonged to Axel Tuanzebe, whose heroics ensured the Congolese side became the tenth African representative to book a spot for the upcoming tournament. This achievement marks a monumental milestone for the nation, as it signifies only their second-ever appearance at the world’s premier football event—their previous participation occurring 52 years ago under the name Zaire during the 1974 edition in West Germany.
The journey to this historic qualification was paved by a dramatic preliminary success, in which DR Congo eliminated Nigeria’s Super Eagles via a 4-3 penalty shootout to earn their place in the final playoff. Following the final whistle against Jamaica, both continental and international governing bodies took to social media to recognize the magnitude of the Leopards’ comeback.
CAF expressed their admiration on X, stating:
“52 years later. The return was worth the run. Already proud, DRC.”
Similarly, FIFA highlighted the fulfillment of the nation’s long-standing ambition, remarking:
“Dreams unlocked. Congo DR are going to the #FIFAWorldCup.”
