Barrages Mondial 2026 : la RD Congo à 90 minutes de briser 52 ans d’attente
Ninety minutes away from a historic feat, DR Congo faces Jamaica in a decisive play-off for the 2026 World Cup, with the ambition of ending a 52-year absence from the world stage.
More than half a century after their last appearance on the world stage, the Democratic Republic of Congo is on the verge of a historic achievement. This Tuesday, the Leopards face Jamaica in Mexico in a decisive intercontinental playoff for a place at the 2026 World Cup. It's a do-or-die match, where the winner will secure their ticket to North America.
Led by their captain Chancel Mbemba, the Congolese dream of returning to the grand spectacle of world football for the first time since 1974. Opposite them, Jamaica harbors the same ambition: to return to the World Cup, nearly three decades after their only participation in the 1998 World Cup.
DR Congo's performance in these qualifiers commands respect. Solid in Group B of the CAF zone, the Leopards have only suffered two defeats in ten matches, with seven wins and one draw, totaling 22 points. Finishing second behind Senegal, they secured their place in the playoffs before achieving a truly remarkable feat.
Against all odds, Sébastien Desabre's men eliminated two of the continent's powerhouses. First, they defeated Cameroon (1-0), five-time African champions, in the CAF playoff semi-finals, then Nigeria in the final, after a thrilling penalty shootout. This double achievement confirmed the resurgence of Congolese football.
However, this momentum was halted during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. After a promising group stage (two wins and a draw), the Leopards fell in the round of 16 against Algeria (1-0).
Despite the disappointment of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, DR Congo quickly bounced back. They approach this crucial match with confidence after a convincing 2-0 victory against Bermuda, thanks in particular to Fiston Mayélé and Yoane Wissa.
At the Zapopan stadium in Mexico, the Leopards will bear the heavy responsibility of carrying the hopes of an entire nation, and indeed, an entire continent. A qualification for the Democratic Republic of Congo would contribute to strengthening Africa's presence with ten representatives at the 2026 World Cup.
90 minutes or more from history, the Congolese know what awaits them: to transform a 52-year-old dream into reality.
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