DR Congo jubilant after picking the World Cup ticket
From our Sports desk, Benin
The DR Congo on Tuesday night, 31 March, 2026 shoved aside the Jamaica national senior men football team, to pick Africa’s remaining 10th qualifier ticket for the 2026 World cup.
The team qualified in a historic return to the FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final, at the Estadio Akron in Mexico, reports say.
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Axel Tuanzebe in the 100th minute scored the decisive goal for DR Congo enough to dump the Jamaica team, after a tightly contested encounter that was goalless throughout regular and much of the extra time.
The former England under-21 international bundled the ball over the line from a corner in the 100th minute, but had to wait for more than a minute while it was checked for a possible handball before being confirmed as a goal.
The DR Congo would be appearing for the first time at the World Cup finals; since 1970, ending a 56-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre, who took charge three and a half years ago, has now fulfilled a long-term objective of rebuilding the Leopards into a competitive force.
Under his leadership, the team has steadily risen in stature translating into this landmark qualification.
Both teams fought hard to break the deadlock during regulation time, with disciplined defending and missed opportunities defining the match.
However, Tuanzebe’s late strike; a composed lobbed finish ultimately sealed the victory and ignited celebrations among the Congolese supporters.
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With the game outcome, DR Congo has claimed Africa’s 10th and final qualifying slot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
To reach the intercontinental play-off, DR Congo defeated Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1, in the African play-off held in Morocco, November, 2025.
The other teams who had already booked their tickets are Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Cape Verde and South Africa.
FIFA, CAF Congratulates DR Congo
Meanwhile, the World football governing body FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) have sent congratulatory messages to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) for the team historic qualification.
Commenting after the win against Jamaica, FIFA and CAF took to their X handle to salute the two-time Africa Cup of Nations champions.
CAF wrote:”52 years later. The return was worth the run. Already proud, DRC. 🇨🇩🩵.”
According to FIFA:”Dreams unlocked. 🔓🇨🇩 Congo DR are going to the #FIFAWorldCup.”
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