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DR Congo national football team

The DR Congo national football team represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and is governed by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The DR Congo national football team represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and is governed by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA). The team is known as the Leopards and competes in CAF and UNIFFAC competitions. It qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, its second World Cup appearance after 1974. As Canada is one of the host countries for the 2026 tournament, this qualification is of particular interest to Canadian readers.

History

The team traces its modern identity through the Democratic Republic of the Congo's football history, including its appearance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup as Zaire. It later qualified again for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Competition record

DR Congo has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, in 1968 and 1974. It also finished third at the tournament in 1998 and 2015.

Team identity

The team is commonly called the Leopards. It plays under the administration of FECOFA and is part of CAF and the Central African regional body UNIFFAC.

Current personnel

Sébastien Desabre is the head coach, and Chancel Mbemba serves as captain. Mbemba is also credited with the most appearances for the side in available records.

Key facts

  • The team is known as the Leopards.
  • It qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, its second appearance after 1974.
  • Chancel Mbemba is the captain and most capped player.
  • Dieumerci Mbokani is the all-time top scorer.
  • The team has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice (1968 and 1974).
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Canadian context

DR Congo's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is relevant to Canadian readers because Canada is one of the host countries for the tournament.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DR Congo national football team?
It is the men's national football team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, representing the country in international football.
What is the team's nickname?
The team is commonly nicknamed the Leopards.
Who coaches DR Congo?
Sébastien Desabre is listed as the team's head coach.
Who is the captain?
Chancel Mbemba is listed as the captain.
How many times has DR Congo qualified for the World Cup?
It qualified for the 1974 World Cup and again for the 2026 World Cup.
What are DR Congo's major tournament achievements?
The team won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1968 and 1974.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DR_Congo_national_football_team
    Supports: Nickname, governing body, confederation, coach, captain, most caps, top scorer, and 2026 World Cup qualification.
  2. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selecci%C3%B3n_de_f%C3%BAtbol_de_la_Rep%C3%BAblica_Democr%C3%A1tica_del_Congo
    Supports: CAF/FIFA membership dates, coach, captain, top scorer, and FIFA ranking context.
  3. Wikipedia — https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90%E1%BB%99i_tuy%E1%BB%83n_b%C3%B3ng_%C4%91%C3%A1_qu%E1%BB%91c_gia_C%E1%BB%99ng_h%C3%B2a_D%C3%A2n_ch%E1%BB%A7_Congo
    Supports: Africa Cup of Nations titles and third-place finishes.