World Cup 2026
52 Years In The Waiting DR Congo’s World Cup Return Begins Against Portugal
In 1974, DR Congo then known as Zaire played at the FIFA World Cup for the only time in their history.
The campaign is remembered largely for humiliation. A 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.
A famous moment where a player ran out of a defensive wall and kicked a free-kick away before it could be taken. A squad that left the tournament without a single point and returned home to a nation that deserved so much better.
Fifty-two years later, the Leopards are back.
And this generation has one mission to replace those painful memories with something entirely different.
On Wednesday June 17 at 6pm Nigeria time in Houston, DR Congo face Portugal in their first World Cup match since 1974.
Cristiano Ronaldo 41 years old, making his 229th international appearance leads the favourites. Yoane Wissa Newcastle United’s Congolese forward leads the underdogs.
DR Congo carry 52 years of hurt into this game. Portugal carry the weight of a nation that has never won a World Cup despite producing Figo, Eusébio and Ronaldo. Both sides have something to prove.
And 110 million Congolese people are watching from home.
The Goal That Changed Everything
On a March night in Mexico City, Axel Tuanzebe scored one of the most important goals in African football history.
The Burnley defender born in England and eligible for DR Congo through his parents received the ball in extra time against Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final and finished with composure to send DR Congo to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
The scenes in Kinshasa were unlike anything the country had witnessed in decades.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, the Congolese federation president, captured the weight of the moment perfectly when he called it “the resurrection of football in this country.”
That is the emotional charge this team carries into every match at this tournament.
This is not just a football story. It is a story about a nation that refused to give up on its football dream and finally saw it fulfilled.
DR Congo vs Portugal: The Fans Who Cannot Be There
DR Congo fans celebrating qualification
While the squad prepares for Wednesday’s historic fixture, thousands of Congolese supporters are watching from afar not by choice. But because circumstances beyond their control have denied them the chance to be present.
An Ebola outbreak in Central Africa triggered US entry restrictions that have blocked many DR Congo fans from travelling to North America. Supporters who saved for years to witness this moment are unable to be in the stadium.
The team is playing not just for themselves they are playing for an entire nation watching from home, carrying the dreams of every Congolese fan who cannot be there.
You can read the full story of how DR Congo fans are being blocked from attending the World Cup here.
DR Congo vs Portugal: DR Congo’s Strengths They Are Not Here to Make Up the Numbers
Before dismissing DR Congo as mere opponents for Portugal, consider this they held Denmark to a goalless draw in a pre-tournament friendly.
Denmark a team that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and regularly competes at the highest level of European football. DR Congo kept them out for 90 minutes without conceding.
That result is not a coincidence. Manager Sebastien Desabre has built a compact, disciplined and organized unit that is genuinely difficult to break down.
The squad also has significant Premier League experience. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku form a defensive unit with elite-level experience between them.
In midfield, Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki provides the defensive shield and ball retention that allows DR Congo to stay organized and transition quickly.
In attack, Cedric Bakambu leads the scoring charts with 21 international goals. Alongside him, Yoane Wissa brings the pace, directness and finishing ability that can trouble any defense in the world on a good day.
DR Congo did not come to Houston to make up the numbers.
Yoane Wissa DR Congo’s Most Dangerous Weapon
Yoane Wissa is celebrating during a match for the DR Congo national football team.
If DR Congo are to cause a shock on Wednesday, Yoane Wissa is the most likely architect.
The Newcastle United forward has nine international goals and a style of play perfectly designed to exploit the space Portugal’s aggressive full-backs leave behind them.
Wissa is at his most dangerous in transition. When he receives the ball running at pace towards goal, he becomes one of the most difficult forwards to defend in African football.
Portugal’s Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes both love to push forward and provide attacking width. When they do, the space behind them is exactly where Wissa thrives.
If DR Congo can stay disciplined, absorb Portugal’s possession and spring Wissa on the counter-attack, the conditions for an upset exist.
It will not be easy. But it is possible.
Portugal’s Quality And Their World Cup Frustrations
Portugal arrive at World Cup 2026 as one of the tournament’s most feared squads and yet the World Cup has never delivered what their quality deserves.
Cristiano Ronaldo making his 229th international appearance at 41 years old remains the captain and the emotional leader of the squad. He arrives determined to improve on a disappointing 2022 World Cup where he scored only once and was dropped to the bench in the knockout rounds.
Behind him, Portugal’s squad reads like a who’s who of European club football.
Bruno Fernandes outstanding for Manchester United this season starts in midfield. Joao Neves, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes all arrive as Champions League winners after PSG’s triumph earlier this month.
Bernardo Silva provides the creative intelligence that makes Portugal’s attacking play so difficult to defend against.
Roberto Martinez has three straight friendly wins heading into this tournament against the USA, Chile and Nigeria and his team looks well-prepared.
Yet questions remain.
Portugal have never won a World Cup despite producing some of Europe’s finest players for two generations. The talent has always been there. The trophy has always eluded them.
That frustration is part of what makes Ronaldo so determined to succeed here.
The Key Battle: Wissa vs Portugal’s Centre-Backs
The contest that could define this match is Yoane Wissa against Ruben Dias and Goncalo Inacio.
Portugal’s central defensive partnership is among the strongest in European football. Dias is commanding, experienced and dominant in the air. Inacio is mobile, intelligent and composed on the ball.
Wissa’s best chance of impacting the game is through pace in behind the defensive line not through physical duels with two of Europe’s finest centre-backs.
He needs service in transition. He needs DR Congo’s midfield to find him running in behind rather than to his feet in tight spaces.
If that service comes, Wissa is capable of finishing. If it does not, Portugal’s defense will keep him quiet.
That tactical battle will go a long way to deciding the final scoreline.
DR Congo vs Portugal: Predicted Lineups
DR Congo national football team posed for a group photo.
Portugal (4-3-3):
D. Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inácio, Mendes; J. Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto
DR Congo (3-5-2):
Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu
DR Congo vs Portugal: Prediction
Portugal are significantly stronger and should win this match comfortably on paper.
Simply put Portugal are better in every position on the pitch. That is not disrespectful to DR Congo. It is just the reality of facing one of Europe’s elite squads.
Ronaldo will be motivated to perform after his 2022 disappointment. Fernandes is in the form of his life. Portugal’s attacking options are frightening.
But DR Congo will not roll over. Their defensive organization is genuine. Wissa is dangerous on the counter.
And the emotional weight of this historic occasion could drive them to perform beyond expectations.
Prediction: Portugal 2-0 DR Congo
But if the Leopards score an entire nation will erupt.
Verdict: The Leopards Are Back
In 1974, Zaire left the World Cup in shame.
In 2026, DR Congo arrive with belief, organisation, Premier League quality and a generation of players determined to write a completely different chapter.
Portugal are the overwhelming favourites. The history of this fixture which has never been played before offers no comfort to the Leopards.
But 52 years of waiting has a way of making you believe the impossible is possible.
Wednesday night in Houston. The Leopards are back. And they are ready to roar.
Personally, I hope Wissa scores. Not because I think DR Congo will win but because this country deserves a moment.
