DR Congo

FIFA #55 Group K CAF COD

Background

DR Congo, playing as Zaire in 1974, were the first sub-Saharan African nation to reach a World Cup, losing all three group games including 9-0 to Yugoslavia. Their 2026 qualification ends a 52-year wait and arrives with Sébastien Desabre's side ranked the highest the federation has been in a decade.

World Cup titles

Appearances

Best finish

Group stage (1974)

Head coach

Sébastien Desabre

Path forward · Group K

Group opponents:

Portugal (#8) Uzbekistan (#64) Colombia (#12)

Realistic 2026 ceiling

Group stage knockout shot

Based on FIFA ranking #55. Tournament football rewards momentum more than seeding, so treat this as a floor for expectations not a cap.

Follow DR Congo to Houston

First fixture: Portugal vs DR Congo · 2026-06-17 · 17:00 UTC

Match-day stay: check in 2026-06-17 → check out 2026-06-18 · extend on the search page

Hotels & travel deals for DR Congo match weekend → Find flights for Houston → 🚖 Airport transfer →

DR Congo Matches

Group Stage - Matchday 1Group K

Portugal

DR Congo

Jun 17 · 17:00 UTCNRG StadiumHouston

Group Stage - Matchday 2Group K

Colombia

DR Congo

Jun 24 · 02:00 UTCEstadio AkronGuadalajara

Group Stage - Matchday 3Group K

DR Congo

Uzbekistan

Jun 27 · 23:30 UTCMercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta