DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi eyes historic World Cup return after 52 years

Lionel Mpasi believes that securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be a landmark moment for DR Congo, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest stage.

The Leopards, who last competed in the 1974 tournament as Zaire, are preparing to face the winner of the play-off tie between Jamaica and New Caledonia on March 31 in a bid to return to the global spotlight.

For Mpasi, who has steadily established himself at Ligue 1 club Le Havre, representing his country at the World Cup would be the culmination of a lifelong ambition.

“This would be historic for the country,” Mpasi told FIFA.com. “We know that everyone is eager for us to make it, and as a player, it would be the pinnacle of my career. If I get the chance to play in a World Cup, having made it to the highest level in France and getting my first minutes in Ligue 1 this year, then I could say that I’ve done everything I wanted to in football.”

A historic return to the world stage

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be unlike any before. For the first time, the tournament will be co-hosted by three countries—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—and will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the traditional 32.

DR Congo’s last appearance in 1974 ended in disappointment. Playing as Zaire, they became the first Sub-Saharan African nation to qualify but suffered defeats in all three group matches: 2-0 to Scotland, 9-0 to Yugoslavia, and 3-0 to Brazil.

Under coach Sebastien Desabre, the Leopards now have a genuine opportunity to re-enter the World Cup stage. Their path to qualification has been far from easy. Finishing second in the CAF qualifiers, DR Congo eliminated heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria to secure a spot in the play-off Tournament, setting up a high-stakes showdown in Mexico.

Mpasi’s mindset ahead of the playoffs

Mpasi, born in Meaux in the Paris suburbs to Congolese parents, has been a key figure for the national team, playing every minute at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Despite being named second-choice goalkeeper for the play-offs, he remains undeterred.

“It’s a great challenge for me! I tell myself that I work hard every day with a Ligue 1 squad so I am ready when I am called upon. Things have been going really well this season at Le Havre.

“The competition is fierce. Sebastien could be worried as I haven’t played many first-team games, but he has put his faith in me and I repay him by staying ready.”

On the approach to the play-off, Mpasi is clear-eyed about the challenges.

“It’s inevitably going to be tough. Even though we are above both nations on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, anything can happen on the pitch. I think it will be similar to when we lost to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations, a tight game decided by small details.”

Belief and resilience: the leopard way

Reflecting on DR Congo’s qualification journey, Mpasi highlighted the importance of persistence and collective effort.

“We’ve been through two phases of qualifiers, and we were first in our group for a long time, but we missed out on qualifying directly in our second match against Senegal (a 3-2 defeat). We were disappointed, but we knew our path to the World Cup would be difficult, not impossible.

“We beat Cameroon and then Nigeria, so now we are just one step away from the World Cup. You always have to believe.”

The Leopards’ progress has been a testament to tactical discipline and mental resilience. Mpasi explained that while their preparations involve analyzing opponents, the focus remains on perfecting their own game.

“A few of us are in a Snapchat group and Cedric (Bakambu) sent us highlights from Jamaica v Nigeria. As Nigeria is a team we know well, it was a useful point of reference. We haven’t seen as much of New Caledonia, but I think the main thing will be to focus on ourselves. We certainly have a lot of tactical work to do when we’re there.”

Looking ahead to north america

The semi-finals and finals of the CAF play-off Tournament are set for Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico, beginning on March 26 with the finals on March 31. The winners of these matches will secure a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining the historic expansion of 48 teams across three nations.

For DR Congo, this represents more than just football; it is an opportunity to rekindle national pride and restore the Leopards to the world stage after more than half a century.

Mpasi’s excitement is palpable. “Until now, I’ve been focused on my matches with Le Havre, but from the moment I arrive in Mexico, the excitement will only grow. For a match like this, you don’t need any extra motivation.”