Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Glody Lilepo misses out on DR Congo’s World Cup squad despite stellar campaign

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Glody Lilepo has been dealt a major disappointment after missing out on a place in the DR Congo squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Leopards coach Sébastien Desabre unveiled his squad on Monday, May 18, with Lilepo notably absent from the final list despite enjoying an impressive campaign with Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership.

The omission will come as a bitter blow for the towering midfielder, who had hoped his strong performances at club level would earn him a long-awaited return to the national team setup. Since joining Kaizer Chiefs, Lilepo has quickly established himself as one of the club’s key attacking players, contributing five goals and several assists during the recently concluded season.

His energetic displays, creativity, and physical presence made him one of the standout performers for the Soweto giants, with many believing his form deserved recognition at international level. However, Desabre opted to look elsewhere as DR Congo prepare for football’s biggest tournament.

Reports suggest that Lilepo’s continued absence from the national side may not be entirely football-related. The midfielder is believed to have had disagreements with football authorities in his home country, a situation that has reportedly affected his standing within the national setup.

The strained relationship is said to have contributed to him becoming somewhat of an outcast, having also missed out on previous call-ups, including the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Earlier this season, reports emerged that Lilepo had attempted to rebuild bridges with officials from the Congolese football federation in a bid to revive his international career. It was understood that the player personally reached out to administrators back home, hoping to convince Desabre and the federation hierarchy that he remained committed to representing his country.

Despite those efforts, his omission from the World Cup squad appears to indicate that the situation remains unresolved.

For the 27-year-old midfielder, the latest setback will undoubtedly be difficult to accept, especially after producing some of the best football of his career in South Africa. Missing out on the opportunity to represent his country on the global stage is likely to be a painful moment for both the player and his supporters.

Nevertheless, Lilepo will now be expected to shift his full focus back to Kaizer Chiefs as they prepare for the new campaign. With expectations continuing to rise around him at club level, the Congolese star still has an opportunity to build on his impressive performances and perhaps force his way back into national team contention in the future.