The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a mixed bag of possibilities ahead of the draw for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), scheduled to take place on January 27 in Rabat, Morocco.
The final tournament phase will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with the DRC eager to build on its performance in recent years.
Ranked 61st in the latest FIFA rankings, the DRC is placed in Pot 2 for the upcoming draw. This pot also includes teams such as Cameroon (49th), Mali (51st), Tunisia (52nd), South Africa (57th), and Burkina Faso (66th).
The draw for the tournament will be a crucial moment for the Congolese team as they prepare for what could be a challenging road to success.
The rest of the pots for the tournament have been confirmed as follows:
AFCON 2025 – Pot 1:
- Morocco (14th, host nation)
- Senegal (17th)
- Egypt (33rd)
- Algeria (37th)
- Nigeria (44th)
- Ivory Coast (46th, defending champions)
AFCON 2025 – Pot 3:
- Gabon (84th)
- Angola (85th)
- Zambia (87th)
- Uganda (88th)
- Equatorial Guinea (93rd)
- Benin (94th)
AFCON 2025 – Pot 4:
- Mozambique (96th)
- Comoros (103rd)
- Tanzania (106th)
- Sudan (113th)
- Zimbabwe (121st)
- Botswana (167th)
The DRC’s potential draw in the tournament has been seen in two contrasting lights, with some combinations viewed as more favorable than others.
The Best Possible Draw for the DRC:
One of the more favorable scenarios for the DRC would see them drawn against Algeria (37th), Gabon (84th), and Botswana (167th).
This draw, with the absence of a top-tier African powerhouse, could present the DRC with a more manageable path through the group stage, increasing their chances of progressing further into the tournament.
The Worst Possible Draw for the DRC:
On the flip side, a more challenging group could see the DRC drawn alongside host nation Morocco (14th), Equatorial Guinea (93rd), and Comoros (103rd).
This combination would place the Congolese side in a more difficult position, particularly with the added challenge of facing a highly-ranked Moroccan team on their home turf.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on how the DRC fares in the draw, and whether they can navigate through a potentially tricky group to compete for the prestigious continental title.
كرة القدم.. سحب قرعة نهائيات كأس إفريقيا للأمم (المغرب 2025) يوم 27 يناير المقبل بالرباط (كاف)https://t.co/yvTEbYv6fL
Football: Le tirage au sort de la CAN Maroc-2025, le 27 janvier à Rabat (CAF)https://t.co/C7FsDQF5ox pic.twitter.com/dywYVPpTVM
— Agence MAP (@MAP_Information) December 17, 2024
