DRC Celebrates Historic World Cup Qualification
The Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team has been welcomed home as national heroes after securing their first FIFA World Cup qualification since 1974. The team, known as the Leopards, secured their place in the 2026 tournament with a 1-0 playoff victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara, sparking massive celebrations across the nation.
Joris Kayembe, the Genk defender and a key player for the national side, described the scenes upon the team's return to the capital, Kinshasa. According to Kayembe, speaking to Belgian outlet Belang van Limburg, the team's bus took five hours to travel the 20 kilometers from the airport to the presidential palace, a journey that would normally take minutes, due to the millions of people who lined the streets to celebrate. "Three to four million people were along the route and many were crying," Kayembe recounted. "We are now real heroes of the people."
In recognition of their historic achievement, President Félix Tshisekedi awarded each member of the national team the title of "Knight of the National Order" and a significant reward. According to Kayembe, the total prize for the players includes a cash sum of one million euros, a new car, and a house for each squad member. This unprecedented gesture underscores the monumental significance of the qualification for the nation, which last appeared in a World Cup tournament 52 years ago in West Germany.
The team's manager, Sébastien Desabre, and his squad were feted at the Palais de la Nation, where they were decorated. The players were also honored with a national holiday, which brought the entire country to a standstill to honor their achievement. The qualification was secured by a single goal from Cédric Bakambu in the 90th minute of the intercontinental playoff, a moment that has now entered Congolese footballing folklore.
Looking ahead, the DRC has been drawn into a challenging Group H for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. Kayembe, who plays his club football for Belgian side Genk, has already set the team's sights on a deep run in the tournament. "We want to show that Congo is a great footballing nation," he stated, aiming for at least a place among the best third-placed teams to advance from the group stage. The players will now return to their clubs, with Kayembe returning to Genk, carrying the hopes of a nation that has rediscovered its passion for football through this historic feat.
