Fifty-two years after their last appearance, DR Congo’s Leopards are back on football’s biggest stage. On Wednesday 1 July 2026 in Atlanta, they face English heavyweights England in the World Cup round of 32. A David-versus-Goliath tie in which Sébastien Desabre’s side have nothing left to lose — and Africa has everything to gain.
Almost nobody saw them coming this far. And yet, here are DR Congo, into a World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 1974, back in the Zaire era. Rescued as one of the best third-placed teams in Group K, the Leopards eventually turned things around: a hard-fought draw with Portugal (1-1), a narrow defeat to Colombia (0-1), then a decisive, gutsy win over Uzbekistan (3-1). Waiting for them is Thomas Tuchel’s England, group winners and openly among the title contenders. Winners against Croatia (4-2), held by Ghana (0-0) and then in control against Panama (2-0), the Three Lions carry the favourites’ tag. On paper, the gap is real. But African football loves tearing up the script.
For DR Congo, only one major absence: defender Rocky Bushiri is out injured. Otherwise, Sébastien Desabre can lean on his talisman Yoane Wissa, supported up front by the experienced Cédric Bakambu, and on a solid spine led by Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. England, meanwhile, must cope with a busy treatment room — Reece James, Quansah and Livramento are all ruled out — though it barely dents a squad boasting Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka. Leopards against Lions, then. For an entire continent following the journey closely, DR Congo carry a dream that stretches well beyond a place in the last 16.
Probable line-ups DR Congo (4-4-2): Mpasi – Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku – Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Cipenga – Wissa, Bakambu. England (4-2-3-1): Pickford – Spence, Konsa, Guéhi, O’Reilly – Anderson, Rice – Saka, Bellingham, Rashford – Kane.