Celebrations erupt as DR Congo ends over 50-year World Cup wait

After over 50 years, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) qualified for the World Cup on April 1, 2026. The team secured their spot by defeating Jamaica in extra time. The victory sparked celebrations among fans in DR Congo, who braved heavy rain to mark the occasion. This marks the nation's return to the World Cup after a decades-long absence. The match and subsequent celebrations occurred in DR Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has declared a national holiday to celebrate its national football team, the Leopards, qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 52 years. The announcement followed their 1-0 victory over Jamaica in a play-off match on Tuesday, securing their place in the finals. The Ministry of Labour and Employment stated the holiday allows the nation to celebrate the "historic" victory with unity and pride. DR Congo, previously known as Zaire, last played in the World Cup in 1974. The team will face Portugal in their first match in Houston on June 17th, and will also play Colombia and Uzbekistan in the group stages of the expanded World Cup hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Jamaica 1-0 in the intercontinental playoff final. The decisive goal was scored by former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe in extra time at Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico. Tuanzebe's goal, confirmed after a VAR check, came in the 100th minute from a corner kick. The DRC's victory means that ten African teams will participate in the upcoming World Cup. The DRC reached the intercontinental playoff after defeating Nigeria in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualifier, while Jamaica beat New Caledonia to reach the final stage.