DR Congo players and coaching staff honoured after historic 2026 World Cup campaign

The players and coaching staff of DR Congo have been honoured for their impressive campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Leopards were recognised during a ceremony held in Kinshasa on Tuesday, September 22, following their return to the global stage and their memorable performance at the tournament.

In total, 31 players and eight members of the coaching staff were awarded the rank of Knight in the National Order of the Leopard, one of the country’s prestigious national distinctions.

The honour was bestowed in recognition of the team’s achievements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

For DR Congo, the tournament represented a significant moment in the country’s football history, as the Leopards returned to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.

Their return generated huge excitement across the country, with the national team determined to make its long-awaited comeback count on the biggest stage of international football.

The Leopards ultimately delivered a campaign that further enhanced their reputation, progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.

Their run beyond the group stage meant DR Congo made a strong impression on their return to the World Cup, providing the country with a memorable footballing moment after more than five decades away from the tournament.

The achievement also earned recognition from the Congolese authorities, with the players and members of the technical team receiving national honours for their contribution to the country’s sporting success.

The ceremony in Kinshasa brought together members of the squad and coaching staff as the country celebrated a team that had represented DR Congo on the global stage.

The recognition extended beyond the players, with eight members of the coaching staff also receiving the prestigious distinction. The Minister for Sport was among those recognised for their roles in the national team’s World Cup journey.

For the Leopards, the honour serves as another chapter in what has been a significant period for Congolese football.

After waiting 52 years to return to the World Cup, DR Congo not only made it back to the tournament but also advanced to the knockout phase, giving the country a campaign to remember and providing a new generation of Congolese footballers with a major achievement to build on.