The Leopards are set to make their World Cup return for the second time since their inaugural appearance in 1974, when they were famously known as Zaire.

In 1974, they etched their name in history as the first sub-Saharan African nation to qualify for the prestigious global tournament. After more than fifty years, DR Congo has once again earned a spot for the 2026 edition under the guidance of French coach, Sebastien Desabre.

DR Congo secured their much-anticipated return by triumphing in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament held in Guadalajara, where they defeated Jamaica 1-0. In the upcoming 2026 tournament, the Leopards have been drawn into a fiercely competitive group alongside Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.

Their journey will commence against Portugal, a team that has qualified for the FIFA World Cup nine times since their debut in 1966. While Portugal has yet to clinch the title, their best performance came with a third-place finish in 1966.

DR Congo Must Tackle the Pressure

“I want my team to play, so we’ll take risks. Those risks will be calculated. There’s no fear as we approach these significant moments,” Desabre expressed to reporters ahead of the match, as reported by Reuters.

“Our focus should be on managing the pressure that comes with the first game. We possess a remarkable strength that we'll showcase on the pitch, and we will initiate our unique style of play, fueled by our high motivation.

“We are thrilled to take on such a formidable opponent.”

Addressing the fans of DR Congo, Desabre added: “We have various strategies. We will begin with one option… and based on the dynamics of the game, we’ll adjust accordingly.

“We have 100 million Congolese supporters who will be watching. Naturally, we aim to perform excellently. We want to demonstrate our courage, and we will give our utmost on the field.”

Pressure on Portugal

In a separate interview, defender Axel Tuanzebe noted that the Leopards enter the matchup aware of vulnerabilities in the Portuguese squad that they can exploit.

“There are indeed areas where we can capitalize and secure a result,” Tuanzebe stated, as quoted by the Houston Chronicle. “We feel no pressure.”

“Most of the pressure rests on them, and at times, that pressure can be overwhelming. We want to play our game and see where it takes us.

“We aspire to have a successful World Cup. While we’re not setting our expectations too high, we certainly aim to make a significant impact to elevate African football. We are here to contribute, and we’ll see how far we can progress.”

Tuanzebe concluded: “We believe we have a strong squad capable of advancing in this tournament. It will be challenging.

“The group is very tough. I’ve maintained from the beginning: there are no easy matches, no easy teams. So, we’ll see. We remain optimistic.”

Following their clash with Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal, the Leopards will also face Colombia on June 23rd and Uzbekistan on June 27th.