World Cup 2026: Sebastien Desabre disappointed with D.R Congo’s defeat to England

DR Congo’s dream run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a painful end after a narrow defeat to England, with head coach Sebastien Desabre admitting that Harry Kane’s brilliance ultimately made the difference.

The Congolese side pushed England all the way in their Round of 32 clash before falling to a 2-1 defeat, as Kane scored twice to send the Three Lions into the Round of 16.

Despite the heartbreaking exit, Desabre remained proud of his team’s effort and the progress they have shown on football’s biggest stage.

Desabre praises his players after brave display

Speaking to beIN Sports after the match, the French coach acknowledged the disappointment inside the camp but insisted his players deserved praise for their performance against one of the world’s strongest national teams.

“We are disappointed because we believed we could win. We played a good game. In the end, we missed two chances, and one of the best players in the world scored two goals against us. It’s unfortunate,” Desabre said.

The DR Congo coach stressed that the tournament experience would play an important role in the future development of Congolese football.

“The players should be congratulated for what they have done. They have gained experience by playing against teams of this level. This is how Congolese football is built,” he added.

Experience proves decisive

Desabre admitted that his side’s lack of experience at key moments of the match ultimately proved costly as England capitalized on their opportunities.

According to the coach, the defeat should be viewed as part of the learning process for a team still building toward a brighter future.

“We lacked a little experience at the end, and that’s the nature of football. We are learning and continuing to progress, and we are steadily moving forward on our journey,” he explained.

The coach once again highlighted Kane’s decisive influence on the game, repeating his admiration for the England captain’s quality in front of goal.

“One of the best players in the world scored two goals against us, it’s a shame,” Desabre said.

DR Congo leave with pride

Although DR Congo’s World Cup journey has come to an end, the team leaves the tournament with significant respect after competing fearlessly against elite opposition.

Desabre concluded his remarks with a message of pride to the Congolese people following the nation’s spirited campaign.

“We fought with the spirit of the Congolese people. We put on a good football performance against one of the best teams in the world and showed a fighting spirit. This is what people will remember about Congo,” the coach stated.

While Harry Kane delivered the final blow for England, DR Congo’s performances throughout the tournament may well mark the beginning of a promising new chapter for Congolese football on the international stage.