Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about England opponents DR Congo

Get the lowdown on DR Congo, England's World Cup opponents in the round of 32.

Fifty-two years after a chastening World Cup debut, DR Congo have earned redemption by qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time.

Back in 1974, when known as Zaire, their 35660c69">three group defeats included a 9-0 hammering by Yugoslavia. They had not been to a World Cup since, until now, but head coach Sebastien Desabre has transformed a team who were in crisis when he took over nearly four years ago.

He led them to fourth place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has instilled discipline and tactical nous. A back five was trialled just before the World Cup and maintained for the first two games of the tournament, which included a draw with Portugal, before they switched to 4-4-2 to beat Uzbekistan.

Defensive solidity has underpinned their improvement, as shown by 29 clean sheets in 57 games under Desabre. Since he took charge, DR Congo have never lost by more than a one-goal margin when able to call on Europe-based players.

Swift counter-attacks utilise the prowess of strikers Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa at running in behind opposition defences.

Mental resilience, often lacking in the past, was forged during a protracted qualifying campaign which included three play-off matches.

DR Congo have seldom faced top-20 ranked sides in recent years, bar Senegal and Morocco – and they have a poor record against both.

With the majority of the national team's regular starters struggling for playing time at their clubs in 2025-26, a lack of conditioning – and quality – is a concern.

Central defender Chancel Mbemba, 31, is the team's captain and most-capped player. He remains integral to his country despite two seasons as a peripheral figure with clubs in France. The former Newcastle player is out of contract with Lille this summer.

Belgium-born Noah Sadiki has added dynamism to DR Congo's midfield since earning his first cap in September 2024, albeit he was a surprise omission from their first two World Cup games. The 21-year-old has been a £15m revelation for Sunderland with his energy, athleticism and ball-carrying ability.

Yoane Wissa's 2025-26 campaign never got going after joining Newcastle in a deal worth up to £55m. A serious knee injury delayed his debut and he only made eight starts in all competitions. However, the 29-year-old was the joint-top scoring African player in the World Cup group stage, with three goals. "We've got him back to his best," said coach Desabre.

Cedric Bakambu, 35, is the oldest member of the squad but still one of the most effective. The striker scored four times in the World Cup qualifiers and is on the cusp of becoming the country's record goalscorer.

This is Frenchman Sebastien Desabre's 11th coaching role in Africa.

The 49-year-old has qualified DR Congo for successive Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the semi-finals in 2023, as well as the World Cup. He had previous success with Uganda.

They earned the first World Cup point in their history by holding strongly-fancied Portugal to a 1-1 draw but then lost 1-0 to Colombia. That left DR Congo needing to beat Uzbekistan, which they duly did 3-1 to progress to the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Their last-32 tie against England will be live on BBC One on Wednesday 1 July, with build-up from 16:00 BST.

The match will also be covered live on BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC Sport website and app.

Superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga, who went viral at the Africa Cup of Nations for his eye-catching patriotism during games, has been included in DR Congo's official World Cup delegation at the request of the players.

Since 2013, Mboladinga has worn colourful suits and silently imitated a statue of revered revolutionary leader Patrice Lumumba, with one arm raised, for entire matches.

The Congolese proverb little by little, grow the bananas emphasises the virtues of patience and steady progress. But during the national football team's 52-year gap between World Cups – the joint-fourth longest of any nation – patience has been exhausted and progress stalled. Until now.

There has been a determination to change the country's World Cup narrative after a 1974 debut that left them ripe for ridicule. Zaire, as DR Congo was then known, lost all three games - including 9-0 against Yugoslavia.

Then came the infamous moment when right-back Mwepu Ilunga charged out of a defensive wall to boot the ball away as Brazil lined up a free-kick.

Bemused onlookers were unaware it was an act of political protest. The players had learned their expected wages and bonuses wouldn't be paid – and Zaire President Mobutu then threatened them with exile if they lost by more than three goals against Brazil.

By kicking the ball away, Ilunga had hoped to waste time and get sent off. He was only booked and Zaire lost 3-0; they were allowed home but President Mobutu cut their funding.

Ever since, the 1968 and 1974 African champions have been kept on the game's periphery by a combination of conflict, corruption, poor football governance and a lack of facilities.

Current head coach Desabre has brought in fresh talent from the vast Congolese diaspora - all but six of the World Cup squad were born in Europe - and the nation is now seeing the fruits of his endlessly patient nurturing.

The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before – in 1974, when the country was named Zaire. They lost all three group games without scoring, including 9-0 against Yugoslavia.