World Cup 2026: Sebastien Desabre eyes strong start as DR Congo face Portugal in opener

DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre says his side are focused on making a meaningful impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they prepare to begin their campaign against Portugal.

The Central African nation will open their Group stage challenge against the European giants at the NRG Stadium on Wednesday, a fixture that immediately places them in one of the tournament’s most demanding tests against Portugal.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Desabre highlighted the team’s ability to adjust to changing circumstances during their preparation, pointing to a demanding build-up that included two competitive friendly matches.

“We adapted to the situation. We had to focus as we have had to adapt often. That is what we did. We worked well, we played two tough friendlies and here we are. Now it is another step for us,” he said.

For DR Congo national football team, the tournament marks a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage, and Desabre believes the occasion carries significance beyond just results on the pitch.

“It has been a while since the people have seen the team at the World Cup. We already had the honour of qualifying for the finals. Now it is up to us to put up a good showing in this tournament,” he added.

The DR Congo side arrive with renewed confidence after navigating a challenging qualification path, but they now face an immediate test of their resilience against one of Europe’s most experienced and technically gifted teams.

As anticipation builds in Houston, attention will turn to whether Desabre’s squad can translate their preparation and belief into a performance capable of unsettling one of the tournament favourites on opening day.