DR Congo national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
DR Congo

Nicknames	Léopards (Leopards) Guerriers de l'Équateur (Warriors of the Equator) La Céleste (The Skyblue)
Association	Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach	Sébastien Desabre
Captain	Chancel Mbemba
Most caps	Chancel Mbemba (111)
Top scorer	Dieumerci Mbokani (22)
Home stadium	Stade des Martyrs
FIFA code	COD
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	51 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest	28 (July–August 2017)
Lowest	133 (October 2011)
First international
Belgian Congo 3–2 Northern Rhodesia  (Belgian Congo; 22 May 1948)
Biggest win
Congo-Kinshasa 10–1 Zambia  (Kinshasa, Congo DR; 22 November 1969)
Biggest defeat
Yugoslavia 9–0 Zaire  (Gelsenkirchen, West Germany; 18 June 1974)
World Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 1974)
Best result	Round of 32 (2026)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	21 (first in 1965)
Best result	Champions (1968, 1974)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	5 (first in 2009)
Best result	Champions, (2009, 2016)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2016)
Best result	Fourth place (2016)

The DR Congo national football team represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in international football matches. This team is often called the "Leopards" (Les Léopards in French). They are managed by the Congolese Association Football Federation and are part of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Leopards have a proud history in African football. They have won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, showing their strength on the continent. They also hold two titles in the African Nations Championship, making them one of the most successful teams in that competition.

The team has played under different names over the years, including Belgian Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, and Zaïre. They made history as the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to play in the FIFA World Cup in 1974. The team recently qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their second appearance in this major global tournament.

The Leopards' Journey: A Look at Their History

Starting the Football Story

The Congolese Association Football Federation was created in 1919. This was long before the country became independent. The team played its very first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo. They won 3-2 against Northern Rhodesia, which is now Zambia.

DR Congo joined FIFA in 1962 and became a member of CAF in 1963. Their first official match was in 1963 against Mauritania, which they won 6-0. The team first played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1965.

A Golden Era of Victories

The team achieved its first big success in 1968. They won the 1968 African Cup of Nations in Ethiopia, beating Ghana 1-0 in the final. Their largest win ever was a huge 10-1 victory against Zambia in 1969.

Their second African title came in 1974 at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Leopards, then known as Zaire, played very well. They won against Guinea, Congo, and Mauritius. In the semi-finals, they beat the host team, Egypt, 3-2. The final against Zambia was so close it had to be replayed! Zaire won the replay 2-0. Their player, Ndaye Mulamba, was the top scorer with nine goals, a record that still stands.

Zaire made history by becoming the first team from Sub-Saharan Africa to play in a FIFA World Cup. This happened at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. They played against strong teams like Scotland and Brazil. During a match against Brazil, something unusual happened. A player named Mwepu Ilunga kicked the ball away before a free-kick. He later explained he did this to protest against his country's officials. He felt the players were not being treated fairly.

Challenging Times and Comebacks

Zaire versus Brazil in the 1974 World Cup

Zaire versus Scotland in 1974 World Cup

After their big wins, the team faced some tough years. They didn't qualify for several major tournaments between 1978 and 1986. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, they finished last in their group.

Finding Their Way Back to Success

In the 1990s, the team started to improve. They reached the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations three times in a row. In 1997, the country changed its name back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The team also got a new nickname, "the Simbas."

At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo surprised many by finishing in third place. They won exciting matches, including a penalty shootout against Burkina Faso. They continued to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006.

More Ups and Downs

The team faced more challenges in qualifying for tournaments like the 2008 African Cup of Nations and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, they found success in the African Nations Championship. They won this tournament, which is for players who play in their home country's leagues, in both 2009 and 2016. They also reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations but were eliminated in the group stage.

Recent Achievements and World Cup Return

DR Congo versus Guinea in 2023

In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo finished third. They had an amazing comeback in the quarter-finals, winning 4-2 against the Republic of Congo. They also had a strong performance in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. They narrowly missed out on qualifying for the World Cup.

The team made a historic return to the FIFA World Cup in 2026. They qualified after a thrilling 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in the play-offs. This was their first World Cup appearance since 1974. The country celebrated this achievement with a public holiday.

At the 2026 World Cup, Yoane Wissa scored DR Congo's first-ever World Cup goal in a 1-1 draw against Portugal. The team then achieved their first World Cup victory, a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. This win helped them qualify for the knockout stage for the first time! They are currently playing in the Round of 32 against England.

Home Stadium

Stade des Martyrs is the main home stadium for the national team. They sometimes play games in Lubumbashi too.

Technical Staff

Position	Staff
Director of football	Hérita Ilunga
Sporting director	Christian Nsengi-Biembe
Technical director	Médard Lusadusu
Head coach	Sébastien Desabre
Assistant coach	Rafael Hamidi Cuadros
Goalkeeping coach	Robert Kidiaba
Fitness coach
Match analyst	Corentin Jourdan
Physiotherapist	Cédric D'Antonio

Coaching History

Sébastien Desabre became the manager of the DR Congo national football team in 2022

Players

Current Squad Members

These 26 players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and friendly matches. Caps and goals are updated as of June 27, 2026, after the match against Uzbekistan.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Lionel Mpasi	(1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 31)	32	0	Le Havre
16	1GK	Timothy Fayulu	(1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 26)	3	0	Noah
21	1GK	Matthieu Epolo	(2005-01-15) 15 January 2005 (age 21)	1	0	Standard Liège
2	2DF	Aaron Wan-Bissaka	(1997-11-26) 26 November 1997 (age 28)	15	0	West Ham United
3	2DF	Steve Kapuadi	(1998-04-30) 30 April 1998 (age 28)	6	0	Widzew Łódź
4	2DF	Axel Tuanzebe	(1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 28)	17	1	Burnley
5	2DF	Dylan Batubinsika	(1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 30)	14	1	AEL
12	2DF	Joris Kayembe	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 31)	29	1	Genk
22	2DF	Chancel Mbemba (captain)	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 31)	112	7	Lille
24	2DF	Gédéon Kalulu	(1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 28)	29	0	Aris Limassol
26	2DF	Arthur Masuaku	(1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 32)	48	4	Lens
6	3MF	Ngal'ayel Mukau	(2004-11-03) 3 November 2004 (age 21)	17	0	Lille
7	3MF	Nathanaël Mbuku	(2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 24)	21	2	Montpellier
8	3MF	Samuel Moutoussamy	(1996-08-12) 12 August 1996 (age 29)	61	0	Atromitos
9	3MF	Brian Cipenga	(1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 28)	9	0	Castellón
10	3MF	Théo Bongonda	(1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 (age 30)	39	7	Spartak Moscow
11	3MF	Gaël Kakuta	(1991-06-21) 21 June 1991 (age 35)	31	5	AEL
14	3MF	Noah Sadiki	(2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 21)	23	0	Sunderland
15	3MF	Aaron Tshibola	(1995-01-02) 2 January 1995 (age 31)	17	1	Kilmarnock
18	3MF	Charles Pickel	(1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 29)	36	1	Espanyol
25	3MF	Edo Kayembe	(1998-06-03) 3 June 1998 (age 28)	45	2	Watford
13	4FW	Meschak Elia (third captain)	(1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 28)	70	12	Alanyaspor
17	4FW	Cédric Bakambu (vice-captain)	(1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 35)	73	21	Betis
19	4FW	Fiston Mayele	(1994-06-24) 24 June 1994 (age 32)	38	7	Pyramids
20	4FW	Yoane Wissa	(1996-09-03) 3 September 1996 (age 29)	41	12	Newcastle United
23	4FW	Simon Banza	(1996-08-13) 13 August 1996 (age 29)	17	2	Al Jazira

Team Records

Players in bold are still active with DR Congo.

Most Appearances for the National Team

Chancel Mbemba is DR Congo's most capped player with 110 appearances.

Top Goal Scorers

Dieumerci Mbokani is DR Congo's all-time top scorer with 22 goals.

Competitive Record

FIFA World Cup Appearances

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
as  Congo and  Congo-Léopoldville										as  Congo and  Congo-Léopoldville
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
as  Congo-Kinshasa										as  Congo-Kinshasa
1966	Did not enter									Did not enter
as  Zaire										as  Zaire
1970	Entry not accepted by FIFA									Entry not accepted by FIFA
1974	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	0	14		11	8	1	2	20	4
1978	Withdrew									Withdrew
1982	Did not qualify									6	4	1	1	13	12
1986	Banned									Banned
1990	Did not qualify									6	2	2	2	7	7
1994										3	0	1	2	1	3
1998	Interrupted; became DR Congo during the qualification process									6	2	2	2	11	7
as  DR Congo										as  DR Congo
1998	Did not qualify									2	0	0	2	0	3
2002										10	4	2	4	17	18
2006										10	4	4	2	14	10
2010										6	3	0	3	14	6
2014										8	3	3	2	11	5
2018										8	6	1	1	20	9
2022										8	3	3	2	11	8
2026	Round of 32	TBD	3	1	1	1	4	3		13	9	2	2	18	7
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total:2/15	Group stage	16th	6	1	1	4	4	16		98	48	22	27	157	99

Africa Cup of Nations Appearances

Africa Cup of Nations record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of Belgium									Part of Belgium
1959
1962	Not affiliated to CAF									Not affiliated to CAF
1963
Played as  Congo-Léopoldville										Played as  Congo-Léopoldville
1965	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	2	8		4	2	0	2	8	8
Played as  Congo-Kinshasa										Played as  Congo-Kinshasa
1968	Champions	1st	5	4	0	1	10	5		5	4	0	1	7	4
1970	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	5		Qualified as defending champions
Played as  Zaire										Played as  Zaire
1972	Fourth place	4th	5	1	2	2	9	11		4	4	0	0	9	3
1974	Champions	1st	6	4	1	1	14	8		4	3	0	1	12	3
1976	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	3	6		Qualified as defending champions
1978	Did not enter									Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify									4	3	0	1	10	10
1982										4	2	0	2	8	9
1984	Withdrew									Withdrew
1986	Did not qualify									6	2	3	1	8	4
1988	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	2	3		4	1	3	0	3	1
1990	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	0	2
1992	Quarter-finals	6th	3	0	2	1	2	3		6	3	1	2	6	4
1994	Quarter-finals	7th	3	1	1	1	2	3		6	3	2	1	13	3
1996	Quarter-finals	8th	3	1	0	2	2	3		6	3	1	2	10	5
Played as / / DR Congo										Played as / / DR Congo
1998	Third place	3rd	6	3	1	2	10	9		6	2	3	1	6	5
2000	Group stage	12th	3	0	2	1	0	1		6	3	1	2	7	6
2002	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	3	4		8	3	3	2	13	10
2004	Group stage	15th	3	0	0	3	1	6		6	3	2	1	9	5
2006	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	3	6		10	4	4	2	14	10
2008	Did not qualify									6	3	2	1	14	10
2010										6	3	0	3	14	6
2012										6	2	3	1	11	10
2013	Group stage	10th	3	0	3	0	3	3		4	4	0	0	12	5
2015	Third place	3rd	6	1	4	1	7	7		6	3	0	3	10	9
2017	Quarter-finals	6th	4	2	1	1	7	5		6	5	0	1	16	6
2019	Round of 16	14th	4	1	1	2	6	6		6	2	3	1	8	6
2021	Did not qualify									6	2	3	1	4	5
2023	Fourth place	4th	7	1	5	1	6	5		6	4	0	2	11	4
2025	Round of 16	9th	4	2	1	1	5	2		6	4	0	2	7	3
2027	To be determined									To be determined
2028
Total	2 Titles	21/35	84	23	30	31	99	109		149	77	35	37	250	156

African Nations Championship Appearances

African Nations Championship record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2009	Final	Winners	5	3	1	1	7	5		4	3	0	1	7	2
2011	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	3	5		2	1	1	0	3	2
2014	Quarter-finals	7th	4	2	0	2	3	3		2	1	1	0	2	2
2016	Final	Winners	6	4	1	1	14	7		DR Congo qualified by walkover.
2018	Did not qualify									2	0	2	0	1	1
2020	Quarter-finals	5th	4	2	1	1	5	4		2	2	0	0	6	1
2022	Group stage	11th	3	0	2	1	0	3		2	2	0	0	7	1
2024	Group stage	11th	4	2	0	2	5	4		2	1	1	0	4	2
Total	2 titles	7/8	27	14	4	9	37	28		14	8	5	1	23	10

African Games Appearances

African Games record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	5th	5	3	1	1	20	8
1973–1987	Did not enter
1991–2015	See DR Congo national under-23 football team
2015–present	See DR Congo national under-20 football team
Total	1/4	5	3	1	1	20	8

Honours

Continental Titles

• CAF African Cup of Nations
  • Champions (2): 1968, 1974
  • Third place (2): 1998, 2015
• CAF African Nations Championship
  • Champions (2): 2009, 2016

Regional Titles

• Central African Games
  • Gold medal (1): 1981

Awards

• Africa Cup of Nations Fair Play Award (1): 2015

Summary of Achievements

Competition				Total
CAF African Cup of Nations	2	0	2	4
CAF African Nations Championship	2	0	0	2
Total	4	0	2	6

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de la República Democrática del Congo para niños