Gianni Infantino congratulates Democratic Republic of the Congo on historic 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Gianni Infantino has taken to Instagram to congratulate Democratic Republic of the Congo following their historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a heartfelt message shared shortly after the Leopards sealed their place at the global showpiece, the FIFA president praised the resilience and determination shown by the Congolese national team throughout their qualification journey.

Infantino highlighted how the team’s perseverance after years of near misses has finally paid off, describing the achievement as “fully deserved.”

“Congratulations DR Congo on qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States,” Infantino wrote.

“After coming so close in recent years, your admirable perseverance has been rewarded, and the Leopards are ready to shine once again on football’s greatest stage.”

The message reflects the global significance of DR Congo’s qualification, which marks their first appearance at the World Cup in over five decades.

Their only previous participation came in 1974, when they competed as Zaire. This latest success signals a new era for Congolese football and reaffirms the growing competitiveness of African nations on the world stage.

Infantino also expressed excitement about seeing the team bring their passion and identity to what is expected to be one of the most spectacular editions of the tournament.

He encouraged fans to celebrate the milestone and looked ahead to the energy the Congolese supporters will bring to the competition.

DR Congo secured qualification after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Jamaica in an intercontinental playoff, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the decisive goal in extra time.

The congratulatory message from Infantino adds to the growing wave of international recognition for the Leopards, whose return to the World Cup has captured the imagination of football fans across Africa and beyond.