2026 World Cup qualifiers: Sébastien Desabre names 25-man DR Congo squad for decisive clashes

Sébastien Desabre has named a 25-man DR Congo squad for their decisive 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Togo and Sudan next month.

The Leopards will face the Sparrowhawks in Lomé on Friday, 10 October, at 14:00 GMT, before hosting the Nile Crocodiles in Kinshasa on Tuesday, 14 October, at 20:00 GMT.

Both fixtures will conclude Group B action, and DR Congo must win both to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Desabre made few changes to his selection, maintaining continuity in most positions. Injured forward Yoane Wissa, who picked up a knock in the 3-2 loss to Senegal on 9 September, misses out.

His absence opens the door for Grady Diangana, who has impressed this season with Spanish side Elche.

Simon Banza also drops out after struggling for form following a long spell without a club.

The striker, who recently joined Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates, loses his place to Afimico Pululu.

The in-form forward has been a standout performer in Poland with Jagiellonia Białystok and now earns a deserved recall.

DR Congo sit second in Group B with 16 points and face a must-win situation. Any dropped points would likely end their hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.

The Leopards must top the runners-up mini-tournament in November to qualify for the intercontinental play-off in March 2026.

They currently sit third in the CAF runners-up ranking, behind Madagascar and Gabon, and cannot afford any slip-ups.

Desabre’s squad blends experience with in-form talent. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, and Arthur Masuaku strengthen a solid defensive unit, while captain Samuel Moutoussamy leads a midfield that also includes emerging star Nelson Mukau. Diangana,

Theo Bongonda, and Gaël Kakuta offer creativity in attack, supporting the goal threat of Cedric Bakambu and Fiston Mayele.

The stakes could not be higher for DR Congo. Victory in both fixtures will guarantee a place in November’s play-offs, the final hurdle before a possible return to football’s biggest stage.

Desabre urged his players to stay focused, knowing that even a single draw could crush decades of ambition.

The Leopards’ last World Cup appearance came in 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire.

This generation now stands two wins away from reviving that legacy and writing a new chapter in Congolese football history.

DR Congo squad:

Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France), Dimitry Bertaud (Free agent)

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Gedeon Kalulu, Arthur Masuaku, Joris Kayembe, Steven Kapuadi, Rocky Bushiri, Dylan Batubinsika, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba

Midfielders: Nelson Sadiki, Edo Kayembe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Gaetano Pickel, Nelson Mukau, Theo Bongonda, Meschack Elia, Grady Diangana, Nathanael Mbuku

Forwards: Fiston Mayele, Afimico Pululu, Silvère Essende, Cedric Bakambu

The path to the 2026 World Cup remains narrow, but DR Congo hold their destiny in their own hands. Desabre’s men must now deliver on the pitch to keep their historic dream alive.