Wikipedia
DR Congo national football team
The DR Congo National Football Team (French: Équipe nationale de football de la République démocratique du Congo), recognised by FIFA as Congo DR, represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and it is controlled by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are nicknamed Les Léopards, meaning The Leopards.[3] The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
| Nickname(s) | Les Léopards English: The Leopards |
|---|---|
| Association | Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA) |
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) |
| Sub-confederation | UNIFFAC (Central Africa) |
| Head coach | Sébastien Desabre |
| Captain | Chancel Mbemba |
| Most caps | Chancel Mbemba (83) |
| Top scorer | Dieumerci Mbokani (22) |
| Home stadium | Stade des Martyrs |
| FIFA code | COD |
| FIFA ranking | |
| Current | 63 (4 April 2024)[1] |
| Highest | 28 (July–August 2017) |
| Lowest | 133 (October 2011) |
| First international | |
| Belgian Congo 3–2 Northern Rhodesia (Belgian Congo; Date Unknown 1948) | |
| Biggest win | |
| Congo-Kinshasa 10–1 Zambia (Kinshasa, Congo DR; 22 November 1969) | |
| Biggest defeat | |
| Yugoslavia 9–0 Zaire (Gelsenkirchen, West Germany; 18 June 1974) | |
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 1 (first in 1974) |
| Best result | Group stage (1974) |
| Africa Cup of Nations | |
| Appearances | 20 (first in 1965) |
| Best result | Champions (1968, 1974) |
| African Nations Championship | |
| Appearances | 5 (first in 2009) |
| Best result | Champions, (2009, 2016) |
Congo DR have been ranked as high as 28th in the FIFA Rankings, as Zaire they were the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and twice won the Africa Cup of Nations. They are also one of the most successful teams in the African Nations Championship with 2 titles, along with Morocco. They are currently ranked 67th in the FIFA Rankings.[4]
History edit
Early history edit
The Congolese Association Football Federation was founded in 1919 when the country was not independent. The team played their first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo against Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. The team recorded a 3–2 victory at home. DR Congo has been FIFA affiliated since 1962 and has been a member of CAF since 1963. The team's first official match was on 11 April 1963, against Mauritania in the L'Amitié Tournament played in Dakar, Senegal. DR Congo won the match 6–0.[5] The national team appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 1965.
Glory period edit
The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first international success at the 1968 African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia, beating Ghana 1–0 in the final. The team's biggest ever win came on 22 November 1969 when they recorded a 10–1 home victory against Zambia. Although a handful of Congolese players were playing in Europe (particularly Belgium) during these years, foreign-based players were seldom recalled for international duty; a rare exception was Julien Kialunda who represented Zaire (as the country was by then known) at the 1972 African Cup of Nations while playing for Anderlecht.
The second continental title came at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Leopards recorded a 2–1 victory against Guinea, another 2–1 victory against rivals Congo and a 4–1 victory against Mauritius. These results carried Zaire through to the semi-finals where they beat hosts Egypt 3–2. In the final, Zaire drew with Zambia 2–2. Therefore, the match was replayed two days later, where Zaire won the game 2–0. Zaire player Ndaye Mulamba was top scorer with nine goals, which remains a record for the tournament. After this, the team returned to Zaire on the Presidential plane, lent to them by Mobutu Sese Seko.
Zaire were the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in a World Cup, qualifying for the 1974 tournament in place of the 1970 participant Morocco, whom they defeated in the decisive qualifier 3–0 in Kinshasa.[6] Such was the desire to foster an identity of Zaire as a global player that Mobutu paid for advertising hoardings at the World Cup to display messages such as ‘Zaire-Peace’ and ‘Go to Zaire’.[7] At the tournament itself, Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games, but gave credible performances against Scotland and Brazil. However, their 9–0 loss against Yugoslavia remains one of the worst World Cup defeats. A bizarre moment came in the match versus Brazil; facing a free-kick 25 yards out, defender Mwepu Ilunga, upon hearing the referee blow his whistle, ran out of the Zaire wall and kicked the ball upfield, for which he received a yellow card. This was voted the 17th greatest World Cup moment in a Channel 4 poll.[8] Ilunga has stated that he was quite aware of the rules and was hoping to convince the referee to send him off. The intended red card would have been a protest against his country's authorities, who were alleged to be depriving the players of their earnings.[9] Many contemporary commentators instead held it to be an example of African football's "naïvety and indiscipline".[10]
Crisis period edit
After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage. Morocco went on to win the tournament. From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, while not participating in qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, Zaire finished last in their group despite having two draws.
Return to success edit
From 1992 to 1996, Zaire, reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter-finals. In 1992 and 1994, they were beaten by Nigeria, and in 1996 they were beaten by Ghana. In 1997, the country returned to its former name of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the national team was re-branded as the Simbas, a nickname that stuck for the next nine years.[11] DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe-Noire which ended in a 1–0 loss to the Republic of the Congo. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda, surprisingly took third place, beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4–4.
At the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the team finished third in their group, and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal. Then, in 2004, DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages. In 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.
Struggles edit
DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia and Ethiopia. Before the last match day, the Congolese led the group, but they drew 1–1 with Libya in their final match while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the Finals, while the Leopards were eliminated. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues, a tournament they would again win in 2016. DR Congo reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches.
The Ibengé era: rise and near World Cup miss edit
In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo again drew all three group matches but this time finished second in the group behind Tunisia, and therefore advanced to the quarter-finals to play their rivals Republic of Congo, a match in which the Leopards came from two goals down to win 4–2. However, they were knocked out by the Ivory Coast 3–1 in the semi-finals. They ended up finishing third, beating Equatorial Guinea on penalties, after the third place match finished 0–0 in regulation time.
DR Congo under Ibengé improved radically and had an outstanding performance for many decades in a World Cup qualification. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, DR Congo was grouped with Libya, Tunisia and Guinea. DR Congo managed an outstanding performance, beating Libya and Guinea home and away, but missed the chance after losing 1–2 to eventual World Cup qualifier Tunisia in Tunis and drew 2–2 at home to the same opponent.
Results and fixtures edit
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023 edit
| 18 June 2023 AFCON qualification | Gabon | 0–2 | DR Congo | Franceville, Gabon |
| 19:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade de Franceville Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt) |
| 9 September 2023 AFCON qualification | DR Congo | 2–0 | Sudan | Kinshasa, DR Congo |
| 17:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade des Martyrs Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco) |
| 12 September Friendly | South Africa | 1–0 | DR Congo | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Report | Stadium: Orlando Stadium Attendance: 9,140 Referee: Thulani Sibandze (Eswatini) |
| 13 October Friendly | New Zealand | 1–1 | DR Congo | Murcia, Spain |
| Wood 90+1' (pen.) | Report | Bakambu 46' | Stadium: Estadio Nueva Condomina |
| 15 November 2026 World Cup qualification | DR Congo | 2–0 | Mauritania | Kinshasa, DR Congo |
| 17:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade des Martyrs Referee: Elmabrouk Muhammad (Libya) |
| 19 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Sudan | 1–0 | DR Congo | Benina, Libya |
| 18:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium Attendance: 3,700 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) |
2024 edit
| 6 January Friendly | DR Congo | 0–0 | Angola | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| 15:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Shabab Al Ahli Stadium Referee: Sultan Al–Hammadi (United Arab Emirates) |
| 10 January Friendly | DR Congo | 1–2 | Burkina Faso | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| 17:00 UTC+4 |
| Report | Stadium: Baniyas Stadium Attendance: 0 |
| 17 January 2023 AFCON GS | DR Congo | 1–1 | Zambia | San-Pédro, Ivory Coast |
| 20:00 UTC±0 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 15,478 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) |
| 21 January 2023 AFCON GS | Morocco | 1–1 | DR Congo | San-Pédro, Ivory Coast |
| 14:00 UTC±0 |
| Report |
| Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 13,342 Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya) |
| 24 January 2023 AFCON GS | Tanzania | 0–0 | DR Congo | Korhogo, Ivory Coast |
| 20:00 UTC±0 | Report | Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium Attendance: 12,847 Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt) |
| 28 January 2023 AFCON R16 | Egypt | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (7–8 p) | DR Congo | San Pédro, Ivory Coast |
| 20:00 UTC±0 | Report |
| Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 12,342[12] Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa) | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 2 February 2023 AFCON QF | DR Congo | 3–1 | Guinea | Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| 20:00 UTC±0 | Report | Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Attendance: 33,278[13] Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria) |
| 7 February 2023 AFCON SF | Ivory Coast | 1–0 | DR Congo | Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| 20:00 UTC±0 |
| Report | Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Attendance: 51,020 Referee: Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya) |
| 10 February 2023 AFCON 3rd | South Africa | 0–0 (6–5 p) | DR Congo | Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
| 20:00 UTC±0 | Report | Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 21,975 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) | ||
| Penalties | ||||
| 3 June 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | Senegal | v | DR Congo | TBD, Senegal |
| 10 June 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | DR Congo | v | Togo | TBD, DR Congo |
2025 edit
| March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | DR Congo | v | South Sudan | TBD, DR Congo |
| March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | Mauritania | v | DR Congo | TBD, Mauritania |
| September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | South Sudan | v | DR Congo | TBD, South Sudan |
| September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | DR Congo | v | Senegal | TBD, DR Congo |
| October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | Togo | v | DR Congo | TBD, Togo |
| October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier | DR Congo | v | Sudan | TBD, DR Congo |
Coaches edit
- Léon Mokuna (1965)
- Ferenc Csanádi (1967–1968)
- Léon Mokuna (1968–1970)
- André Mori (1970)
- Blagoje Vidinić (1970–1974)
- Ştefan Stănculescu (1974–1976)
- Julien Kialunda (?–?)
- Otto Pfister (1985–1989)
- Ali Makombo Alamande (1989)
- Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1992–1993)
- Louis Watunda (1993)
- Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1994)
- Jean-Santos Muntubila (1995)
- Muhsin Ertuğral (1995–1996)
- Jean-Santos Muntubila (1996–1997)
- Mohamed Magassouba (1997)
- Celio Barros (1997)
- Saio Ernest Mokili (1997)
- Georges Leekens (1997)
- Louis Watunda Iyolo (1998–1999)
- Médard Lusadusu Basilwa (1999–2000)
- Roger Palmgren (1999–2000)
- Mohamed Magassouba (2000)
- Jean-Santos Muntubila (2001)
- Yuri Gavrilov (2001)
- Eugène Kabongo (2002)
- Andy Magloire Mfutila (2002–2003)
- Mick Wadsworth (2003–2004)
- Claude Le Roy (2004–2006)
- Henri Depireux (2006–2007)
- Patrice Neveu (2008–2010)
- Robert Nouzaret (2010–2011)
- Claude Le Roy (2011–2013)
- Jean-Santos Muntubila (2013–2014)
- Florent Ibengé (2014–2019)
- Christian Nsengi-Biembe (2019–2021)
- Héctor Cúper (2021–2022)
- Sébastien Desabre (2022–present)
Players edit
Current squad edit
The following players have been selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.[14]
Caps and goals as of 10 February 2024, after match against South Africa. [15]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Lionel Mpasi | 1 August 1994 | 15 | 0 | Rodez |
| 16 | GK | Dimitry Bertaud | 6 June 1998 | 2 | 0 | Montpellier |
| 21 | GK | Baggio Siadi | 21 July 1997 | 4 | 0 | Mazembe |
| 2 | DF | Henoc Inonga Baka | 1 November 1993 | 14 | 0 | Simba |
| 4 | DF | Brian Bayeye | 30 June 2000 | 3 | 0 | Ascoli |
| 5 | DF | Dylan Batubinsika | 15 February 1996 | 8 | 0 | Saint-Étienne |
| 12 | DF | Joris Kayembe | 8 August 1994 | 5 | 0 | Genk |
| 15 | DF | Rocky Bushiri | 30 November 1999 | 2 | 0 | Hibernian |
| 22 | DF | Chancel Mbemba (captain) | 8 August 1994 | 83 | 6 | Marseille |
| 24 | DF | Gédéon Kalulu | 29 August 1997 | 14 | 0 | Lorient |
| 26 | DF | Arthur Masuaku | 7 November 1993 | 25 | 3 | Beşiktaş |
| 6 | MF | Aaron Tshibola | 25 January 1995 | 13 | 1 | Hatta |
| 7 | MF | Grady Diangana | 19 April 1998 | 5 | 0 | West Bromwich Albion |
| 8 | MF | Samuel Moutoussamy | 12 August 1996 | 32 | 0 | Nantes |
| 10 | MF | Théo Bongonda | 20 November 1995 | 18 | 3 | Spartak Moscow |
| 14 | MF | Gaël Kakuta | 21 June 1991 | 24 | 3 | Amiens |
| 18 | MF | Charles Pickel | 15 May 1997 | 12 | 0 | Cremonese |
| 25 | MF | Omenuke Mfulu | 20 March 1994 | 7 | 0 | Las Palmas |
| 11 | FW | Silas Katompa Mvumpa | 6 October 1998 | 14 | 1 | VfB Stuttgart |
| 13 | FW | Meschak Elia | 6 August 1997 | 41 | 8 | Young Boys |
| 17 | FW | Cédric Bakambu | 11 April 1991 | 54 | 16 | Real Betis |
| 19 | FW | Fiston Mayele | 24 June 1994 | 13 | 2 | Pyramids |
| 20 | FW | Yoane Wissa | 3 September 1996 | 24 | 5 | Brentford |
| 23 | FW | Simon Banza | 13 August 1996 | 8 | 0 | Braga |
Recent call-ups edit
The following players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last twelve months and are still eligible to represent.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Esdras Kabamba | 24 June 1999 | 0 | 0 | Bravos do Maquis | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Ngonda Muzinga | 31 December 1994 | 24 | 0 | Riga | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Merveille Bokadi | 21 May 1996 | 22 | 1 | Standard Liège | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Dieumerci Amale | 17 October 1998 | 18 | 0 | Difaâ El Jadidi | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Jordan Ikoko | 3 February 1994 | 9 | 0 | Pafos | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Vital N'Simba | 8 July 1993 | 2 | 0 | Bordeaux | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Arsène Zola | 23 February 1996 | 1 | 0 | Wydad Casablanca | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| DF | Axel Tuanzebe | 14 November 1997 | 0 | 0 | Ipswich Town | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Neeskens Kebano | 10 March 1992 | 35 | 6 | Al Jazira | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Chadrac Akolo | 1 April 1995 | 23 | 2 | St. Gallen | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Edo Kayembe | 3 August 1998 | 18 | 1 | Watford | 2023 AFCON PRE INJ |
| MF | Makabi Lilepo | 27 July 1997 | 7 | 0 | Valenciennes | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | William Balikwisha | 12 May 1999 | 4 | 0 | Standard Liège | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu | 22 March 1994 | 3 | 0 | Luton Town | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Arnaud Lusamba | 4 January 1997 | 2 | 0 | Pendikspor | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Jonathan Okita | 5 October 1996 | 2 | 0 | Zürich | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| MF | Mukoko Tonombe | 16 January 1996 | 8 | 0 | Mazembe | v. Gabon, 18 June 2023 |
| FW | Jonathan Bolingi | 30 June 1994 | 34 | 9 | Vojvodina | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| FW | Ben Malango | 10 November 1993 | 21 | 6 | Qatar SC | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| FW | Jackson Muleka | 4 October 1999 | 14 | 1 | Beşiktaş | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| FW | Aldo Kalulu | 21 January 1996 | 5 | 0 | Partizan | 2023 AFCON PRE |
| FW | Gaëtan Laura | 6 August 1995 | 0 | 0 | Samsunspor | 2023 AFCON PRE |
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. | ||||||
Records edit
- As of 10 February 2024[16]
- Players in bold are still active with DR Congo.
Most appearances edit
| Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chancel Mbemba | 83 | 6 | 2012–present |
| 2 | Issama Mpeko | 81 | 2 | 2011–present |
| 3 | Robert Kidiaba | 64 | 0 | 2002–2015 |
| 4 | Cédric Bakambu | 54 | 16 | 2015–present |
| 5 | Zola Matumona | 53 | 9 | 2002–2014 |
| Trésor Mputu | 53 | 14 | 2004–2022 | |
| 7 | Joël Kimwaki | 52 | 3 | 2009–2016 |
| 8 | Yannick Bolasie | 50 | 9 | 2013–2022 |
| Marcel Mbayo | 50 | 4 | 1996–2011 | |
| 10 | Dieumerci Mbokani | 49 | 22 | 2005–2022 |
Top goalscorers edit
| Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dieumerci Mbokani | 22 | 49 | 0.45 | 2005–2022 |
| 2 | Cédric Bakambu | 16 | 54 | 0.3 | 2015–present |
| 3 | Shabani Nonda | 14 | 22 | 0.64 | 2000–2008 |
| Trésor Mputu | 14 | 53 | 0.26 | 2004–2022 | |
| 5 | Jean-Jacques Yemweni | 12 | 16 | 0.75 | 2000–2007 |
| 6 | Ndaye Mulamba | 10 | 20 | 0.5 | 1973–1976 |
| Ngoy Kabongo | 10 | 21 | 0.48 | 1981–1991 | |
| 8 | Kakoko Etepé | 9 | 31 | 0.29 | 1970–1976 |
| Dioko Kaluyituka | 9 | 31 | 0.29 | 2004–2013 | |
| Jonathan Bolingi | 9 | 34 | 0.26 | 2014–present | |
| Ndombe Mubele | 9 | 45 | 0.2 | 2013–2018 | |
| Yannick Bolasie | 9 | 50 | 0.18 | 2013–2022 | |
| Zola Matumona | 9 | 53 | 0.17 | 2002–2014 |
Competitive record edit
FIFA World Cup edit
| FIFA World Cup | Qualification | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | |
| as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville | ||||||||||||||
| 1930 to 1962 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | |||||||||||||
| as Congo-Kinshasa | as Congo-Kinshasa | ||||||||||||||
| 1966 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||
| as Zaire | as Zaire | ||||||||||||||
| 1970 | Entry not accepted by FIFA | Entry not accepted by FIFA | |||||||||||||
| 1974 | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 4 | |
| 1978 | Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||
| 1982 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | ||||||||
| 1986 | Banned | Banned | |||||||||||||
| 1990 | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||
| 1994 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
| 1998 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 10 | |||||||||
| as DR Congo | as DR Congo | ||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 18 | ||||||||
| 2006 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 | |||||||||
| 2010 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 6 | |||||||||
| 2014 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5 | |||||||||
| 2018 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 9 | |||||||||
| 2022 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 8 | |||||||||
| 2026 | To be determined | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | ||||||||
| 2030 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| 2034 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | Group stage | 1/15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 84 | 38 | 20 | 26 | 134 | 90 | |
Africa Cup of Nations edit
| Africa Cup of Nations | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
| 1957 | Part of Belgium | ||||||||||||||
| 1959 | |||||||||||||||
| 1962 | Not affiliated to CAF | ||||||||||||||
| 1963 | |||||||||||||||
| Played as Congo-Léopoldville | |||||||||||||||
| 1965 | Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | |||||||
| Played as Congo-Kinshasa | |||||||||||||||
| 1968 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | |||||||
| 1970 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |||||||
| Played as Zaire | |||||||||||||||
| 1972 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 11 | |||||||
| 1974 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 8 | |||||||
| 1976 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |||||||
| 1978 | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1980 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 1982 | |||||||||||||||
| 1984 | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
| 1986 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 1988 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||
| 1990 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 1992 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||
| 1994 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||||
| 1996 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |||||||
| Played as / / DR Congo | |||||||||||||||
| 1998 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 9 | |||||||
| 2000 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||
| 2002 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
| 2004 | Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | |||||||
| 2006 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |||||||
| 2008 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 2010 | |||||||||||||||
| 2012 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |||||||
| 2015 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 7 | |||||||
| 2017 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | |||||||
| 2019 | Round of 16 | 14th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | |||||||
| 2021 | Did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |||||||
| 2025 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| 2027 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 2 Titles | 20/35 | 80 | 21 | 29 | 30 | 94 | 104 | |||||||
African Nations Championship record edit
| African Nations Championship record | African Nations Championship qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 2009 | Final | Winners | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2011 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2014 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2016 | Final | Winners | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 7 | DR Congo qualified by walkover. | ||||||
| 2018 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
| 2020 | Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 2022 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||
| Total | 2 titles | 5/6 | 23 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 32 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 8 | |
African Games edit
| African Games | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
| 1965 | 5th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 8 |
| 1973-1987 | Did not enter | ||||||
| Total | 1/4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 8 |
Head-to-head record edit
Including the record of Zaire. Updated as for 13 October 2022.
| Opponent | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | W% | L% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Angola | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 13 | 53.33 | 26.67 |
| Bahrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 100 |
| Benin | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 75 | 0 |
| Botswana | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 100 |
| Burkina Faso[note 1] | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 19 | 41.67 | 41.67 |
| Burundi | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 100 | 0 |
| Cameroon | 36 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 32 | 46 | 30.56 | 50 |
| Cape Verde | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 33.33 | 0 |
| Central African Republic | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 71.43 | 14.29 |
| Chad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Congo | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 66 | 38 | 47.37 | 21.05 |
| Djibouti | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 3 | 75 | 0 |
| Egypt | 13 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 26 | 8.33 | 66.67 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| Eswatini | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 62.5 | 12.5 |
| Ethiopia | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 83.33 | 16.67 |
| Gabon | 18 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 14 | 16 | 27.78 | 29.41 |
| Gambia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| Ghana | 24 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 23 | 40 | 20.83 | 54.17 |
| Guinea | 13 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 38.46 | 30.77 |
| Iraq | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 100 |
| Ivory Coast | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 27 | 33 | 27.78 | 44.44 |
| Kenya | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 13 | 50 | 33.33 |
| Lesotho | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 42.86 | 0 |
| Liberia | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 44.44 | 33.33 |
| Libya | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 11 | 41.67 | 16.67 |
| Madagascar | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 15 | 50 | 28.57 |
| Malawi | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 57.14 | 14.29 |
| Mali | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 18.18 | 45.45 |
| Mauritania | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 100 | 0 |
| Mauritius | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 100 | 0 |
| Mexico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Morocco | 16 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 19 | 18.75 | 31.25 |
| Mozambique | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 71.43 | 0 |
| Namibia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Niger | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 33.33 | 33.33 |
| Nigeria | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 40 | 50 |
| North Korea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oman | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Qatar | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Romania | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Rwanda | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 40 | 60 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Scotland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100 |
| Senegal | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 14 | 27.27 | 45.45 |
| Seychelles | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
| Sierra Leone | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 100 | 0 |
| South Africa | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 14.29 | 71.43 |
congo, national, football, team, confused, with, congo, national, football, team, this, article, about, team, women, team, congo, women, national, football, team, congo, national, football, team, french, Équipe, nationale, football, république, démocratique, c. Not to be confused with Congo national football team This article is about the men s team For the women s team see DR Congo women s national football team The DR Congo National Football Team French Equipe nationale de football de la Republique democratique du Congo recognised by FIFA as Congo DR represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men s international football and it is controlled by the Congolese Association Football Federation They are nicknamed Les Leopards meaning The Leopards 3 The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football CAF DR CongoNickname s Les LeopardsEnglish The LeopardsAssociationFederation Congolaise de Football Association FECOFA ConfederationCAF Africa Sub confederationUNIFFAC Central Africa Head coachSebastien DesabreCaptainChancel MbembaMost capsChancel Mbemba 83 Top scorerDieumerci Mbokani 22 Home stadiumStade des MartyrsFIFA codeCODFirst coloursSecond coloursFIFA rankingCurrent63 4 April 2024 1 Highest28 July August 2017 Lowest133 October 2011 First internationalBelgian Congo 3 2 Northern Rhodesia Belgian Congo Date Unknown 1948 Biggest win Congo Kinshasa 10 1 Zambia Kinshasa Congo DR 22 November 1969 Biggest defeat Yugoslavia 9 0 Zaire Gelsenkirchen West Germany 18 June 1974 World CupAppearances1 first in 1974 Best resultGroup stage 1974 Africa Cup of NationsAppearances20 first in 1965 Best resultChampions 1968 1974 African Nations ChampionshipAppearances5 first in 2009 Best resultChampions 2009 2016 Congo DR have been ranked as high as 28th in the FIFA Rankings as Zaire they were the first Sub Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and twice won the Africa Cup of Nations They are also one of the most successful teams in the African Nations Championship with 2 titles along with Morocco They are currently ranked 67th in the FIFA Rankings 4 Contents 1 History 1 1 Early history 1 2 Glory period 1 3 Crisis period 1 4 Return to success 1 5 Struggles 1 6 The Ibenge era rise and near World Cup miss 2 Results and fixtures 2 1 2023 2 2 2024 2 3 2025 3 Coaches 4 Players 4 1 Current squad 4 2 Recent call ups 5 Records 5 1 Most appearances 5 2 Top goalscorers 6 Competitive record 6 1 FIFA World Cup 6 2 Africa Cup of Nations 6 3 African Nations Championship record 6 4 African Games 7 Head to head record 8 References 9 External linksHistory editEarly history edit The Congolese Association Football Federation was founded in 1919 when the country was not independent The team played their first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo against Northern Rhodesia now Zambia The team recorded a 3 2 victory at home DR Congo has been FIFA affiliated since 1962 and has been a member of CAF since 1963 The team s first official match was on 11 April 1963 against Mauritania in the L Amitie Tournament played in Dakar Senegal DR Congo won the match 6 0 5 The national team appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 1965 Glory period edit The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first international success at the 1968 African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia beating Ghana 1 0 in the final The team s biggest ever win came on 22 November 1969 when they recorded a 10 1 home victory against Zambia Although a handful of Congolese players were playing in Europe particularly Belgium during these years foreign based players were seldom recalled for international duty a rare exception was Julien Kialunda who represented Zaire as the country was by then known at the 1972 African Cup of Nations while playing for Anderlecht The second continental title came at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt The Leopards recorded a 2 1 victory against Guinea another 2 1 victory against rivals Congo and a 4 1 victory against Mauritius These results carried Zaire through to the semi finals where they beat hosts Egypt 3 2 In the final Zaire drew with Zambia 2 2 Therefore the match was replayed two days later where Zaire won the game 2 0 Zaire player Ndaye Mulamba was top scorer with nine goals which remains a record for the tournament After this the team returned to Zaire on the Presidential plane lent to them by Mobutu Sese Seko Zaire were the first Sub Saharan African team to participate in a World Cup qualifying for the 1974 tournament in place of the 1970 participant Morocco whom they defeated in the decisive qualifier 3 0 in Kinshasa 6 Such was the desire to foster an identity of Zaire as a global player that Mobutu paid for advertising hoardings at the World Cup to display messages such as Zaire Peace and Go to Zaire 7 At the tournament itself Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games but gave credible performances against Scotland and Brazil However their 9 0 loss against Yugoslavia remains one of the worst World Cup defeats A bizarre moment came in the match versus Brazil facing a free kick 25 yards out defender Mwepu Ilunga upon hearing the referee blow his whistle ran out of the Zaire wall and kicked the ball upfield for which he received a yellow card This was voted the 17th greatest World Cup moment in a Channel 4 poll 8 Ilunga has stated that he was quite aware of the rules and was hoping to convince the referee to send him off The intended red card would have been a protest against his country s authorities who were alleged to be depriving the players of their earnings 9 Many contemporary commentators instead held it to be an example of African football s naivety and indiscipline 10 Crisis period edit nbsp Zaire versus Brazil in the 1974 World Cup nbsp Zaire versus Scotland in 1974 World Cup After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage Morocco went on to win the tournament From 1978 to 1986 the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations while not participating in qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup In the 1988 African Cup of Nations Zaire finished last in their group despite having two draws Return to success edit From 1992 to 1996 Zaire reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter finals In 1992 and 1994 they were beaten by Nigeria and in 1996 they were beaten by Ghana In 1997 the country returned to its former name of Democratic Republic of the Congo and the national team was re branded as the Simbas a nickname that stuck for the next nine years 11 DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe Noire which ended in a 1 0 loss to the Republic of the Congo At the 1998 African Cup of Nations DR Congo led by Louis Watunda surprisingly took third place beating Cameroon in the quarter finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4 1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4 4 At the 2000 African Cup of Nations the team finished third in their group and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter finals by Senegal Then in 2004 DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages In 2006 led by Claude Le Roy having finished second in the group behind Cameroon the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter finals by Egypt 4 1 Struggles edit DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations along with Libya Namibia and Ethiopia Before the last match day the Congolese led the group but they drew 1 1 with Libya in their final match while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3 2 This sent Namibia through to the Finals while the Leopards were eliminated DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup In 2009 DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues a tournament they would again win in 2016 DR Congo reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches The Ibenge era rise and near World Cup miss edit In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations DR Congo again drew all three group matches but this time finished second in the group behind Tunisia and therefore advanced to the quarter finals to play their rivals Republic of Congo a match in which the Leopards came from two goals down to win 4 2 However they were knocked out by the Ivory Coast 3 1 in the semi finals They ended up finishing third beating Equatorial Guinea on penalties after the third place match finished 0 0 in regulation time DR Congo under Ibenge improved radically and had an outstanding performance for many decades in a World Cup qualification During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification DR Congo was grouped with Libya Tunisia and Guinea DR Congo managed an outstanding performance beating Libya and Guinea home and away but missed the chance after losing 1 2 to eventual World Cup qualifier Tunisia in Tunis and drew 2 2 at home to the same opponent Results and fixtures editMain article DR Congo national football team results 2020 present The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months as well as any future matches that have been scheduled Win Draw Loss Fixture 2023 edit DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Uganda 14 June FriendlyDR Congo nbsp 1 0 nbsp UgandaDouala Cameroon16 00 UTC 1 Bongonda nbsp 26 pen Report Stadium Stade de Japoma Referee Florent Dimonya Cameroon Gabon nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 18 June 2023 AFCON qualificationGabon nbsp 0 2 nbsp DR CongoFranceville Gabon19 00 UTC 1 Report Tshibola nbsp 34 Mayele nbsp 83 Stadium Stade de Franceville Referee Amin Omar Egypt DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Sudan 9 September 2023 AFCON qualificationDR Congo nbsp 2 0 nbsp SudanKinshasa DR Congo17 00 UTC 1 Bongonda nbsp 8 Mayele nbsp 87 Report Stadium Stade des Martyrs Referee Samir Guezzaz Morocco South Africa nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 12 September FriendlySouth Africa nbsp 1 0 nbsp DR CongoJohannesburg South AfricaFoster nbsp 25 Report Stadium Orlando Stadium Attendance 9 140Referee Thulani Sibandze Eswatini New Zealand nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 13 October FriendlyNew Zealand nbsp 1 1 nbsp DR CongoMurcia SpainWood nbsp 90 1 pen Report Bakambu nbsp 46 Stadium Estadio Nueva Condomina Angola nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 17 October FriendlyAngola nbsp 0 0 nbsp DR CongoLisbon PortugalReport DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Mauritania 15 November 2026 World Cup qualificationDR Congo nbsp 2 0 nbsp MauritaniaKinshasa DR Congo17 00 UTC 1 Wissa nbsp 62 Bongonda nbsp 81 Report Stadium Stade des Martyrs Referee Elmabrouk Muhammad Libya Sudan nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 19 November 2026 World Cup qualificationSudan nbsp 1 0 nbsp DR CongoBenina Libya18 00 UTC 2 Pickel nbsp 79 o g Report Stadium Martyrs of February Stadium Attendance 3 700Referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa Ethiopia 2024 edit DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Angola 6 January FriendlyDR Congo nbsp 0 0 nbsp AngolaDubai United Arab Emirates15 00 UTC 3 Report Stadium Shabab Al Ahli Stadium Referee Sultan Al Hammadi United Arab Emirates DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Burkina Faso 10 January FriendlyDR Congo nbsp 1 2 nbsp Burkina FasoAbu Dhabi United Arab Emirates17 00 UTC 4 Mbemba nbsp 57 Report Toure nbsp 36 Konate nbsp 41 Stadium Baniyas Stadium Attendance 0 DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Zambia 17 January 2023 AFCON GSDR Congo nbsp 1 1 nbsp ZambiaSan Pedro Ivory Coast20 00 UTC 0 Wissa nbsp 27 Report Kangwa nbsp 23 Stadium Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance 15 478Referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa Ethiopia Morocco nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 21 January 2023 AFCON GSMorocco nbsp 1 1 nbsp DR CongoSan Pedro Ivory Coast14 00 UTC 0 Hakimi nbsp 6 Report Silas nbsp 76 Stadium Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance 13 342Referee Peter Waweru Kenya Tanzania nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 24 January 2023 AFCON GSTanzania nbsp 0 0 nbsp DR CongoKorhogo Ivory Coast20 00 UTC 0 Report Stadium Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium Attendance 12 847Referee Amin Omar Egypt Egypt nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 28 January 2023 AFCON R16Egypt nbsp 1 1 a e t 7 8 p nbsp DR CongoSan Pedro Ivory Coast20 00 UTC 0 Mohamed nbsp 45 1 pen Report Elia nbsp 37 Stadium Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance 12 342 12 Referee Abongile Tom South Africa PenaltiesAbdelmonem nbsp Mohamed nbsp Marmoush nbsp Kamal nbsp Hany nbsp Hegazi nbsp Fathi nbsp Hamada nbsp Abou Gabal nbsp nbsp Moutoussamy nbsp Masuaku nbsp Dianagana nbsp Silas nbsp Tshibola nbsp Kalulu nbsp Mbemba nbsp Inonga Baka nbsp Mpasi DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Guinea 2 February 2023 AFCON QFDR Congo nbsp 3 1 nbsp GuineaAbidjan Ivory Coast20 00 UTC 0 Mbemba nbsp 27 Wissa nbsp 65 pen Masuaku nbsp 82 Report Bayo nbsp 21 pen Stadium Alassane Ouattara Stadium Attendance 33 278 13 Referee Mustapha Ghorbal Algeria Ivory Coast nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 7 February 2023 AFCON SFIvory Coast nbsp 1 0 nbsp DR CongoAbidjan Ivory Coast20 00 UTC 0 Haller nbsp 65 Report Stadium Alassane Ouattara Stadium Attendance 51 020Referee Ibrahim Mutaz Libya South Africa nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 10 February 2023 AFCON 3rdSouth Africa nbsp 0 0 6 5 p nbsp DR CongoAbidjan Ivory Coast20 00 UTC 0 Report Stadium Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance 21 975Referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa Ethiopia PenaltiesMokoena nbsp Sibisi nbsp Monare nbsp Modiba nbsp Lepasa nbsp Appollis nbsp Xulu nbsp nbsp Moutoussamy nbsp Mfulu nbsp Bakambu nbsp Kayembe nbsp Mbemba nbsp Wissa nbsp Elia Senegal nbsp v nbsp DR Congo 3 June 2026 FIFA WC QualifierSenegal nbsp v nbsp DR CongoTBD Senegal DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Togo 10 June 2026 FIFA WC QualifierDR Congo nbsp v nbsp TogoTBD DR Congo 2025 edit DR Congo nbsp v nbsp South Sudan March 2026 FIFA WC QualifierDR Congo nbsp v nbsp South SudanTBD DR Congo Mauritania nbsp v nbsp DR Congo March 2026 FIFA WC QualifierMauritania nbsp v nbsp DR CongoTBD Mauritania South Sudan nbsp v nbsp DR Congo September 2026 FIFA WC QualifierSouth Sudan nbsp v nbsp DR CongoTBD South Sudan DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Senegal September 2026 FIFA WC QualifierDR Congo nbsp v nbsp SenegalTBD DR Congo Togo nbsp v nbsp DR Congo October 2026 FIFA WC QualifierTogo nbsp v nbsp DR CongoTBD Togo DR Congo nbsp v nbsp Sudan October 2026 FIFA WC QualifierDR Congo nbsp v nbsp SudanTBD DR CongoCoaches edit nbsp Leon Mokuna 1965 nbsp Ferenc Csanadi 1967 1968 nbsp Leon Mokuna 1968 1970 nbsp Andre Mori 1970 nbsp Blagoje Vidinic 1970 1974 nbsp Stefan Stănculescu 1974 1976 nbsp Julien Kialunda nbsp Otto Pfister 1985 1989 nbsp Ali Makombo Alamande 1989 nbsp Pierre Kalala Mukendi 1992 1993 nbsp Louis Watunda 1993 nbsp Pierre Kalala Mukendi 1994 nbsp Jean Santos Muntubila 1995 nbsp Muhsin Ertugral 1995 1996 nbsp Jean Santos Muntubila 1996 1997 nbsp Mohamed Magassouba 1997 nbsp Celio Barros 1997 nbsp Saio Ernest Mokili 1997 nbsp Georges Leekens 1997 nbsp Louis Watunda Iyolo 1998 1999 nbsp Medard Lusadusu Basilwa 1999 2000 nbsp Roger Palmgren 1999 2000 nbsp Mohamed Magassouba 2000 nbsp Jean Santos Muntubila 2001 nbsp Yuri Gavrilov 2001 nbsp Eugene Kabongo 2002 nbsp Andy Magloire Mfutila 2002 2003 nbsp Mick Wadsworth 2003 2004 nbsp Claude Le Roy 2004 2006 nbsp Henri Depireux 2006 2007 nbsp Patrice Neveu 2008 2010 nbsp Robert Nouzaret 2010 2011 nbsp Claude Le Roy 2011 2013 nbsp Jean Santos Muntubila 2013 2014 nbsp Florent Ibenge 2014 2019 nbsp Christian Nsengi Biembe 2019 2021 nbsp Hector Cuper 2021 2022 nbsp Sebastien Desabre 2022 present Players editCurrent squad edit The following players have been selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations 14 Caps and goals as of 10 February 2024 after match against South Africa 15 No Pos Player Date of birth age Caps Goals Club 1 1 GK Lionel Mpasi 1994 08 01 1 August 1994 age 29 15 0 nbsp Rodez 16 1 GK Dimitry Bertaud 1998 06 06 6 June 1998 age 25 2 0 nbsp Montpellier 21 1 GK Baggio Siadi 1997 07 21 21 July 1997 age 26 4 0 nbsp Mazembe 2 2 DF Henoc Inonga Baka 1993 11 01 1 November 1993 age 30 14 0 nbsp Simba 4 2 DF Brian Bayeye 2000 06 30 30 June 2000 age 23 3 0 nbsp Ascoli 5 2 DF Dylan Batubinsika 1996 02 15 15 February 1996 age 28 8 0 nbsp Saint Etienne 12 2 DF Joris Kayembe 1994 08 08 8 August 1994 age 29 5 0 nbsp Genk 15 2 DF Rocky Bushiri 1999 11 30 30 November 1999 age 24 2 0 nbsp Hibernian 22 2 DF Chancel Mbemba captain 1994 08 08 8 August 1994 age 29 83 6 nbsp Marseille 24 2 DF Gedeon Kalulu 1997 08 29 29 August 1997 age 26 14 0 nbsp Lorient 26 2 DF Arthur Masuaku 1993 11 07 7 November 1993 age 30 25 3 nbsp Besiktas 6 3 MF Aaron Tshibola 1995 01 25 25 January 1995 age 29 13 1 nbsp Hatta 7 3 MF Grady Diangana 1998 04 19 19 April 1998 age 26 5 0 nbsp West Bromwich Albion 8 3 MF Samuel Moutoussamy 1996 08 12 12 August 1996 age 27 32 0 nbsp Nantes 10 3 MF Theo Bongonda 1995 11 20 20 November 1995 age 28 18 3 nbsp Spartak Moscow 14 3 MF Gael Kakuta 1991 06 21 21 June 1991 age 32 24 3 nbsp Amiens 18 3 MF Charles Pickel 1997 05 15 15 May 1997 age 26 12 0 nbsp Cremonese 25 3 MF Omenuke Mfulu 1994 03 20 20 March 1994 age 30 7 0 nbsp Las Palmas 11 4 FW Silas Katompa Mvumpa 1998 10 06 6 October 1998 age 25 14 1 nbsp VfB Stuttgart 13 4 FW Meschak Elia 1997 08 06 6 August 1997 age 26 41 8 nbsp Young Boys 17 4 FW Cedric Bakambu 1991 04 11 11 April 1991 age 33 54 16 nbsp Real Betis 19 4 FW Fiston Mayele 1994 06 24 24 June 1994 age 29 13 2 nbsp Pyramids 20 4 FW Yoane Wissa 1996 09 03 3 September 1996 age 27 24 5 nbsp Brentford 23 4 FW Simon Banza 1996 08 13 13 August 1996 age 27 8 0 nbsp Braga Recent call ups edit The following players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last twelve months and are still eligible to represent Pos Player Date of birth age Caps Goals Club Latest call up GK Esdras Kabamba 1999 06 24 24 June 1999 age 24 0 0 nbsp Bravos do Maquis 2023 AFCON PRE DF Ngonda Muzinga 1994 12 31 31 December 1994 age 29 24 0 nbsp Riga 2023 AFCON PRE DF Merveille Bokadi 1996 05 21 21 May 1996 age 27 22 1 nbsp Standard Liege 2023 AFCON PRE DF Dieumerci Amale 1998 10 17 17 October 1998 age 25 18 0 nbsp Difaa El Jadidi 2023 AFCON PRE DF Jordan Ikoko 1994 02 03 3 February 1994 age 30 9 0 nbsp Pafos 2023 AFCON PRE DF Vital N Simba 1993 07 08 8 July 1993 age 30 2 0 nbsp Bordeaux 2023 AFCON PRE DF Arsene Zola 1996 02 23 23 February 1996 age 28 1 0 nbsp Wydad Casablanca 2023 AFCON PRE DF Axel Tuanzebe 1997 11 14 14 November 1997 age 26 0 0 nbsp Ipswich Town 2023 AFCON PRE MF Neeskens Kebano 1992 03 10 10 March 1992 age 32 35 6 nbsp Al Jazira 2023 AFCON PRE MF Chadrac Akolo 1995 04 01 1 April 1995 age 29 23 2 nbsp St Gallen 2023 AFCON PRE MF Edo Kayembe 1998 08 03 3 August 1998 age 25 18 1 nbsp Watford 2023 AFCON PRE INJ MF Makabi Lilepo 1997 07 27 27 July 1997 age 26 7 0 nbsp Valenciennes 2023 AFCON PRE MF William Balikwisha 1999 05 12 12 May 1999 age 24 4 0 nbsp Standard Liege 2023 AFCON PRE MF Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu 1994 03 22 22 March 1994 age 30 3 0 nbsp Luton Town 2023 AFCON PRE MF Arnaud Lusamba 1997 01 04 4 January 1997 age 27 2 0 nbsp Pendikspor 2023 AFCON PRE MF Jonathan Okita 1996 10 05 5 October 1996 age 27 2 0 nbsp Zurich 2023 AFCON PRE MF Mukoko Tonombe 1996 01 16 16 January 1996 age 28 8 0 nbsp Mazembe v nbsp Gabon 18 June 2023 FW Jonathan Bolingi 1994 06 30 30 June 1994 age 29 34 9 nbsp Vojvodina 2023 AFCON PRE FW Ben Malango 1993 11 10 10 November 1993 age 30 21 6 nbsp Qatar SC 2023 AFCON PRE FW Jackson Muleka 1999 10 04 4 October 1999 age 24 14 1 nbsp Besiktas 2023 AFCON PRE FW Aldo Kalulu 1996 01 21 21 January 1996 age 28 5 0 nbsp Partizan 2023 AFCON PRE FW Gaetan Laura 1995 08 06 6 August 1995 age 28 0 0 nbsp Samsunspor 2023 AFCON PRE INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury PRE Preliminary squad RET Player has retired from international football SUS Suspended from the national team Records editAs of 10 February 2024 16 Players in bold are still active with DR Congo Most appearances edit Rank Name Caps Goals Career 1 Chancel Mbemba 83 6 2012 present 2 Issama Mpeko 81 2 2011 present 3 Robert Kidiaba 64 0 2002 2015 4 Cedric Bakambu 54 16 2015 present 5 Zola Matumona 53 9 2002 2014 Tresor Mputu 53 14 2004 2022 7 Joel Kimwaki 52 3 2009 2016 8 Yannick Bolasie 50 9 2013 2022 Marcel Mbayo 50 4 1996 2011 10 Dieumerci Mbokani 49 22 2005 2022 Top goalscorers edit nbsp Dieumerci Mbokani is DR Congo s top scorer with 22 goals Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career 1 Dieumerci Mbokani 22 49 0 45 2005 2022 2 Cedric Bakambu 16 54 0 3 2015 present 3 Shabani Nonda 14 22 0 64 2000 2008 Tresor Mputu 14 53 0 26 2004 2022 5 Jean Jacques Yemweni 12 16 0 75 2000 2007 6 Ndaye Mulamba 10 20 0 5 1973 1976 Ngoy Kabongo 10 21 0 48 1981 1991 8 Kakoko Etepe 9 31 0 29 1970 1976 Dioko Kaluyituka 9 31 0 29 2004 2013 Jonathan Bolingi 9 34 0 26 2014 present Ndombe Mubele 9 45 0 2 2013 2018 Yannick Bolasie 9 50 0 18 2013 2022 Zola Matumona 9 53 0 17 2002 2014Competitive record editFIFA World Cup edit See also DR Congo at the FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Qualification Year Round Position Pld W D L F A Pld W D L F A as nbsp Congo and nbsp Congo Leopoldville as nbsp Congo and nbsp Congo Leopoldville 1930 to 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member as nbsp Congo Kinshasa as nbsp Congo Kinshasa nbsp 1966 Did not enter Did not enter as nbsp Zaire as nbsp Zaire nbsp 1970 Entry not accepted by FIFA Entry not accepted by FIFA nbsp 1974 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 14 11 8 1 2 20 4 nbsp 1978 Withdrew Withdrew nbsp 1982 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 6 9 nbsp 1986 Banned Banned nbsp 1990 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 7 7 nbsp 1994 3 0 1 2 1 3 nbsp 1998 8 2 2 4 11 10 as nbsp nbsp nbsp DR Congo as nbsp nbsp nbsp DR Congo nbsp nbsp 2002 Did not qualify 10 4 2 4 17 18 nbsp 2006 10 4 4 2 14 10 nbsp 2010 6 3 0 3 14 6 nbsp 2014 8 3 3 2 11 5 nbsp 2018 8 6 1 1 20 9 nbsp 2022 8 3 3 2 11 8 nbsp nbsp nbsp 2026 To be determined 2 1 0 1 2 1 nbsp nbsp nbsp 2030 To be determined nbsp 2034 Total Group stage 1 15 3 0 0 3 0 14 84 38 20 26 134 90 Africa Cup of Nations edit Main article DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations Qualification record Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA W D L GF GA nbsp 1957 Part of Belgium nbsp 1959 nbsp 1962 Not affiliated to CAF nbsp 1963 Played as nbsp Congo Leopoldville nbsp 1965 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 2 8 Played as nbsp Congo Kinshasa nbsp 1968 Champions 1st 5 4 0 1 10 2 nbsp 1970 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 5 Played as nbsp Zaire nbsp 1972 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 9 11 nbsp 1974 Champions 1st 6 4 1 1 14 8 nbsp 1976 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 3 6 nbsp 1978 Did not enter nbsp 1980 Did not qualify nbsp 1982 nbsp 1984 Withdrew nbsp 1986 Did not qualify nbsp 1988 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 2 3 nbsp 1990 Did not qualify nbsp 1992 Quarter finals 6th 3 0 2 1 2 3 nbsp 1994 Quarter finals 7th 3 1 1 1 2 3 nbsp 1996 Quarter finals 8th 3 1 0 2 2 3 Played as nbsp nbsp nbsp DR Congo nbsp 1998 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 10 9 nbsp nbsp 2000 Group stage 12th 3 0 2 1 0 1 nbsp 2002 Quarter finals 6th 4 1 1 2 3 4 nbsp 2004 Group stage 15th 3 0 0 3 1 6 nbsp 2006 Quarter finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 6 nbsp 2008 Did not qualify nbsp 2010 nbsp nbsp 2012 nbsp 2013 Group stage 10th 3 0 3 0 3 3 nbsp 2015 Third place 3rd 6 1 4 1 7 7 nbsp 2017 Quarter finals 6th 4 2 1 1 7 5 nbsp 2019 Round of 16 14th 4 1 1 2 6 6 nbsp 2021 Did not qualify nbsp 2023 Fourth place 4th 7 1 5 1 6 5 nbsp 2025 To be determined nbsp nbsp nbsp 2027 Total 2 Titles 20 35 80 21 29 30 94 104 African Nations Championship record edit African Nations Championship record African Nations Championship qualification record Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA nbsp 2009 Final Winners 5 3 1 1 7 5 4 3 0 1 7 2 nbsp 2011 Quarter finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 5 2 1 1 0 3 2 nbsp 2014 Quarter finals 7th 4 2 0 2 3 3 2 1 1 0 2 2 nbsp 2016 Final Winners 6 4 1 1 14 7 DR Congo qualified by walkover nbsp 2018 Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 1 1 nbsp 2020 Quarter finals 4 2 1 1 5 4 2 2 0 0 6 1 nbsp 2022 Group stage 3 0 2 1 0 3 2 2 0 0 7 1 Total 2 titles 5 6 23 12 4 7 32 24 12 7 4 1 19 8 African Games edit See also DR Congo national under 23 football team and DR Congo national under 20 football team African Games Year Result GP W D L GS GA nbsp 1965 5th 5 3 1 1 20 8 1973 1987 Did not enter Total 1 4 5 3 1 1 20 8Head to head record editIncluding the record of nbsp Zaire Updated as for 13 October 2022 Opponent P W D L GF GA W L nbsp Algeria 7 0 4 3 4 10 0 42 86 nbsp Angola 15 8 3 4 22 13 53 33 26 67 nbsp Bahrain 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 100 nbsp Benin 4 3 1 0 10 4 75 0 nbsp Botswana 5 2 3 0 4 0 40 0 nbsp Brazil 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 100 nbsp Burkina Faso note 1 12 5 2 5 22 19 41 67 41 67 nbsp Burundi 4 4 0 0 9 3 100 0 nbsp Cameroon 36 11 7 18 32 46 30 56 50 nbsp Cape Verde 3 1 2 0 3 2 33 33 0 nbsp Central African Republic 7 5 1 1 18 5 71 43 14 29 nbsp Chad 1 1 0 0 4 0 100 0 nbsp Congo 38 18 12 8 66 38 47 37 21 05 nbsp Djibouti 4 3 1 0 21 3 75 0 nbsp Egypt 13 1 4 8 14 26 8 33 66 67 nbsp Equatorial Guinea 3 1 1 1 5 2 33 33 33 33 nbsp Eswatini 7 3 1 3 11 6 62 5 12 5 nbsp Ethiopia 6 5 0 1 11 4 83 33 16 67 nbsp Gabon 18 5 8 5 14 16 27 78 29 41 nbsp Gambia 3 1 1 1 3 5 33 33 33 33 nbsp Ghana 24 5 6 13 23 40 20 83 54 17 nbsp Guinea 13 5 2 4 12 9 38 46 30 77 nbsp Iraq 2 0 0 2 1 3 0 100 nbsp Ivory Coast 18 5 5 8 27 33 27 78 44 44 nbsp Kenya 12 6 2 4 16 13 50 33 33 nbsp Lesotho 7 3 4 0 17 4 42 86 0 nbsp Liberia 9 4 2 3 15 10 44 44 33 33 nbsp Libya 12 5 5 2 19 11 41 67 16 67 nbsp Madagascar 14 7 3 4 27 15 50 28 57 nbsp Malawi 7 4 2 1 9 6 57 14 14 29 nbsp Mali 11 2 4 5 14 18 18 18 45 45 nbsp Mauritania 4 4 0 0 13 1 100 0 nbsp Mauritius 5 5 0 0 16 3 100 0 nbsp Mexico 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 100 nbsp Morocco 16 3 8 5 13 19 18 75 31 25 nbsp Mozambique 7 5 2 0 15 7 71 43 0 nbsp Namibia 3 1 1 1 4 7 33 33 33 33 nbsp New Zealand 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 nbsp Niger 3 1 1 1 3 3 33 33 33 33 nbsp Nigeria 10 4 1 5 16 16 40 50 nbsp North Korea 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 nbsp Oman 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 nbsp Qatar 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 nbsp Romania 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 0 nbsp Rwanda 5 2 0 3 10 7 40 60 nbsp Saudi Arabia 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 100 nbsp Scotland 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 100 nbsp Senegal 11 3 3 5 12 14 27 27 45 45 nbsp Seychelles 2 2 0 0 7 0 100 0 nbsp Sierra Leone 3 3 0 0 8 1 100 0 nbsp South Africa 7 1 1 5 5 9 14 29 71 43 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library, article, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games. |