Announcement of the Final List for the Democratic Republic of Congo National Team for the World Cup

The French coach Sébastien Desabre, the head coach of the Democratic Republic of the Congo national team (the Leopards), announced the official final squad of 26 players to compete in the World Cup finals in North America.

The Congolese national team secured its historic spot in the World Cup (for the first time since its initial participation in 1974 under the name Zaire) after a football epic in the global playoffs, where Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe clinched the qualification with a decisive goal in extra time against Jamaica last March.

The draw placed the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group Eleven with Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

The complete official squad called up (26 players)

Desabre's list was devoid of major surprises, as he preferred to maintain the pillars of stability and the big names active in European fields.

Goalkeeping

Lionel Mbasi (Le Havre - France)

Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah - Armenia)

Matteo Ipolu (Standard Liège - Belgium)

Defense line

Chancel Mbemba (Lille - France) [Team Captain]

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham - England)

Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley - England)

Arthur Masuaku (Lens - France)

Gideon Kalulu (Lorient - France)

Joris Kayembe (Genk - Belgium)

Dylan Batubinsika (AE Larissa - Greece)

Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian - Scotland)

Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź - Poland)

Midfield

Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England)

Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos - Greece)

Edo Kayembe (Watford - England)

Ngalayel Moukaw (Lille - France)

Charles Pickel (Espanyol - Spain)

Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow - Russia)

Nataniel Mbuku (Montpellier - France)

Brian Sibenga (Castellón, Spain)

Gaël Kakuta (AE Larissa - Greece)

Forward line

Yuan Wissa (Newcastle United - England)

Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis - Spain)

Simon Banza (Al Jazeera - UAE)

Fiton Kalala (Pyramids - Egypt)

Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor - Turkey)