Players and officials of DR Congo national team have been rewarded with cars and parcels of land by the government after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The gesture follows a historic achievement for the Central African nation, which will return to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 52 years.
In his speech, the Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi praised the team’s commitment throughout the qualifying campaign.
He announced that each member of the team will receive a new Jeep, a cash bonus and a plot of land.
He said, “From now on, participation in the World Cup must be a regular occurrence.”
DR Congo, previously known as Zaire national football team, last appeared at the World Cup in 1974.
Their path to qualification proved dramatic. The Leopards defeated Nigeria national football team 4–3 on penalties in the African playoffs after a closely contested tie.
They then progressed through the intercontinental playoffs held in Mexico, where defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the decisive extra-time goal in a 1–0 victory over Jamaica national football team on 31 March 2026.
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The result confirmed DR Congo as one of Africa’s representatives at the expanded 48-team tournament, to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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Despite the celebrations, the qualification campaign was not without controversy. Football authorities in Nigeria had raised concerns over DR Congo’s eligibility during the playoff stage, though the result ultimately stood.
