Football: Extra-time goal sees DR Congo return to the FIFA World Cup

There were flashes of lightning in the sky over Kinshasa – the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo – as thousands ran through the rain-soaked streets in celebration of a truly historic moment: the Leopards qualification for football’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The nocturnal fiesta was precipitated by soon-to-be national hero Axel Tuanzebe, whose charging attack in extra-time helped body-in a corner to break the deadlock between DR Congo and Jamaica at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-off Tournament on Tuesday (31 March).

His 100th minute effort triggered an immediate round of celebrations from the DR Congo faithful at Estadio Guadalajara, who’d watched with bated breath as the Leopards applied relentless pressure to Jamaica's Reggae Boyz through full time without much success.

They danced and cheered, just like their fellow countrymen back home, as the boys in light blue fought off the final few attacks from the tired Caribbean side, kick-starting a national release of euphoria more than 50 years in the making.

“We’re happy, we’re really delighted. It was a difficult match today,” Congo DR striker Cedric Bakambu told FIFA. “I don’t think we fully realise it yet [that we are qualified], but when we get back to Kinshasa, it’s going to be crazy.”

The victory marks the first time since 1974 that the country, then known as Zaire, will play at the FIFA World Cup. They’ll no doubt look to improve on their previous showing, which ended with a record of 0-3 and a goal difference of -14.

“We’re going to enjoy the qualification, but we’ll keep working,” cautioned captain Chancel Mbemba. “We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years. We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work.”

DR Congo will compete in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which also features national teams from Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.

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