DR Congo national football team

DR Congo
Nickname(s)	Les Léopards; English: The Leopards
Association	Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	UNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coach	Sébastien Desabre
Captain	Chancel Mbemba
Most caps	Chancel Mbemba (89)
Top scorer	Dieumerci Mbokani (22)
Home stadium	Stade des Martyrs
FIFA code	COD
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	61 4 (28 November 2024)
Highest	28 (July–August 2017)
Lowest	133 (October 2011)
First international
	Belgian Congo 3–2 Northern Rhodesia ; (Belgian Congo; Date Unknown 1948)
Biggest win
	Congo-Kinshasa 10–1 Zambia ; (Kinshasa, Congo DR; 22 November 1969)
Biggest defeat
	Yugoslavia 9–0 Zaire ; (Gelsenkirchen, West Germany; 18 June 1974)
World Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 1974)
Best result	Group stage (1974)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	20 (first in 1965)
Best result	Champions (1968, 1974)
African Nations Championship
Appearances	5 (first in 2009)
Best result	Champions, (2009, 2016)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2016)
Best result	Fourth place (2016)

The DR Congo national football team (French: Équipe nationale de football de la République démocratique du Congo), recognised by FIFA as Congo DR, represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and it is controlled by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are nicknamed Les Léopards, meaning The Leopards.^[3] The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Congo DR have been ranked as high as 28th in the FIFA Rankings, as Zaire they were the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and twice won the Africa Cup of Nations. They are also one of the most successful teams in the African Nations Championship with 2 titles, along with Morocco. They are currently ranked 63rd in the FIFA Rankings.^[4]

Congo DR have previously competed variously as Belgian Congo, Congo-Kinshasa and Zaïre. Their appearance at the 1974 FIFA World Cup was as Zaïre.

History

Early history

The Congolese Association Football Federation was founded in 1919 when the country was not independent. The team played their first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo against Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. The team recorded a 3–2 victory at home. DR Congo has been FIFA affiliated since 1962 and has been a member of CAF since 1963. The team's first official match was on 11 April 1963, against Mauritania in the L'Amitié Tournament played in Dakar, Senegal. DR Congo won the match 6–0.^[5] The national team appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 1965.

Glory period

The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first international success at the 1968 African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia, beating Ghana 1–0 in the final. The team's biggest ever win came on 22 November 1969 when they recorded a 10–1 home victory against Zambia. Although a handful of Congolese players were playing in Europe (particularly Belgium) during these years, foreign-based players were seldom recalled for international duty; a rare exception was Julien Kialunda who represented Zaire (as the country was by then known) at the 1972 African Cup of Nations while playing for Anderlecht.

The second continental title came at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Leopards recorded a 2–1 victory against Guinea, another 2–1 victory against rivals Congo and a 4–1 victory against Mauritius. These results carried Zaire through to the semi-finals where they beat hosts Egypt 3–2. In the final, Zaire drew with Zambia 2–2. Therefore, the match was replayed two days later, where Zaire won the game 2–0. Zaire player Ndaye Mulamba was top scorer with nine goals, which remains a record for the tournament. After this, the team returned to Zaire on the Presidential plane, lent to them by Mobutu Sese Seko.

Zaire were the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in a World Cup, qualifying for the 1974 tournament in place of the 1970 participant Morocco, whom they defeated in the decisive qualifier 3–0 in Kinshasa.^[6] Such was the desire to foster an identity of Zaire as a global player that Mobutu paid for advertising hoardings at the World Cup to display messages such as ‘Zaire-Peace’ and ‘Go to Zaire’.^[7] At the tournament itself, Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games, but gave credible performances against Scotland and Brazil. However, their 9–0 loss against Yugoslavia remains one of the worst World Cup defeats. A bizarre moment came in the match versus Brazil; facing a free-kick 25 yards out, defender Mwepu Ilunga, upon hearing the referee blow his whistle, ran out of the Zaire wall and kicked the ball upfield, for which he received a yellow card. This was voted the 17th greatest World Cup moment in a Channel 4 poll.^[8] Ilunga has stated that he was quite aware of the rules and was hoping to convince the referee to send him off. The intended red card would have been a protest against his country's authorities, who were alleged to be depriving the players of their earnings.^[9] Many contemporary commentators instead held it to be an example of African football's "naïvety and indiscipline".^[10]

Crisis period

Zaire versus Brazil in the 1974 World Cup

After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage. Morocco went on to win the tournament. From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, while not participating in qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, Zaire finished last in their group despite having two draws.

Return to success

From 1992 to 1996, Zaire, reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter-finals. In 1992 and 1994, they were beaten by Nigeria, and in 1996 they were beaten by Ghana. In 1997, the country returned to its former name of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the national team was re-branded as the Simbas, a nickname that stuck for the next nine years.^[11] DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe-Noire which ended in a 1–0 loss to the Republic of the Congo. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda, surprisingly took third place, beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4–4.

At the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the team finished third in their group, and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal. Then, in 2004, DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages. In 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.

Struggles

DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia and Ethiopia. Before the last match day, the Congolese led the group, but they drew 1–1 with Libya in their final match while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the Finals, while the Leopards were eliminated. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues, a tournament they would again win in 2016. DR Congo reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches.

The Ibengé era: rise and near World Cup miss

In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo again drew all three group matches but this time finished second in the group behind Tunisia, and therefore advanced to the quarter-finals to play their rivals Republic of Congo, a match in which the Leopards came from two goals down to win 4–2. However, they were knocked out by the Ivory Coast 3–1 in the semi-finals. They ended up finishing third, beating Equatorial Guinea on penalties, after the third place match finished 0–0 in regulation time.

DR Congo under Ibengé improved radically and had an outstanding performance for many decades in a World Cup qualification. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, DR Congo was grouped with Libya, Tunisia and Guinea. DR Congo managed an outstanding performance, beating Libya and Guinea home and away, but missed the chance after losing 1–2 to eventual World Cup qualifier Tunisia in Tunis and drew 2–2 at home to the same opponent.

Home stadium

Stade des Martyrs has been the home of the national team since its establishment and they roughly play their games at Lubumbashi.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2024

6 January Friendly	DR Congo	0–0	Angola	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
15:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Shabab Al Ahli Stadium Referee: Sultan Al–Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)

10 January Friendly	DR Congo	1–2	Burkina Faso	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
17:00 UTC+4	Mbemba 57'	Report	Touré 36' Konaté 41'	Stadium: Baniyas Stadium Attendance: 0

17 January 2023 AFCON GS	DR Congo	1–1	Zambia	San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0	Wissa 27'	Report	Kangwa 23'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 15,478 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

21 January 2023 AFCON GS	Morocco	1–1	DR Congo	San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
14:00 UTC±0	Hakimi 6'	Report	Silas 76'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 13,342 Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)

24 January 2023 AFCON GS	Tanzania	0–0	DR Congo	Korhogo, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0		Report		Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium Attendance: 12,847 Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)

28 January 2023 AFCON R16	Egypt	1–1 (a.e.t.) (7–8 p)	DR Congo	San Pédro, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0	Mohamed 45+1' (pen.)	Report	Elia 37'	Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium Attendance: 12,342^[12] Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
	Penalties
	Abdelmonem Mohamed Marmoush Kamal Hany Hegazi Fathi Hamada Abou Gabal		Moutoussamy Masuaku Dianagana Silas Tshibola Kalulu Mbemba Inonga Baka Mpasi

2 February 2023 AFCON QF	DR Congo	3–1	Guinea	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0	Mbemba 27' Wissa 65' (pen.) Masuaku 82'	Report	Bayo 21' (pen.)	Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Attendance: 33,278^[13] Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

7 February 2023 AFCON SF	Ivory Coast	1–0	DR Congo	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0	Haller 65'	Report		Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Attendance: 51,020 Referee: Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya)

10 February 2023 AFCON 3rd	South Africa	0–0 (6–5 p)	DR Congo	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0		Report		Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Attendance: 21,975 Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
	Penalties
	Mokoena Sibisi Monare Modiba Lepasa Appollis Xulu		Moutoussamy Mfulu Bakambu Kayembe Mbemba Wissa Elia

6 June 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier	Senegal	1–1	DR Congo	Diamniadio, Senegal
19:00 UTC±0	I. Sarr 45+1'	Report	Mayele 85'	Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium Referee: Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)

9 June 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier	DR Congo	1–0	Togo	Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1	Elia 6'	Report		Stadium: Stade des Martyrs Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)

6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) 2025 AFCON qualification	DR Congo	1–0	Guinea	Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1	Kayembe 27'	Report		Stadium: Stade des Martyrs Referee: Mohamed Adel (Egypt)

9 September 2024 (2024-09-09) 2025 AFCON qualification	Ethiopia	0–2	DR Congo	Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
22:00 UTC+3		Report	Bongonda 62' Mayele 76'	Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)

10 October 2024 (2024-10-10) 2025 AFCON qualification	DR Congo	1–0	Tanzania	Kinshasa, DR Congo
--:--	Mzize 53' (o.g.)	Report		Stadium: Stade des Martyrs Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)

15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 AFCON qualification	Tanzania	0–2	DR Congo	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3		Report	Elia 87', 90+3'	Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)

16 November 2024 (2024-11-16) 2025 AFCON qualification	Guinea	1–0	DR Congo	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
18:00 UTC±0	Guirassy 90+2'	Report		Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium

19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 AFCON qualification	DR Congo	1–2	Ethiopia	Kinshasa, DR Congo
16:00 UTC+1	Batubinsika 90+2'	Report	Desta 36' Nasir 90+6'	Stadium: Stade des Martyrs Referee: Leonidas Lenine Da Graca (Cape Verde)

2025

March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier

DR Congo

v

South Sudan

TBD, DR Congo

March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier

Mauritania

v

DR Congo

TBD, Mauritania

September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier

South Sudan

v

DR Congo

TBD, South Sudan

September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier

DR Congo

v

Senegal

TBD, DR Congo

October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier

Togo

v

DR Congo

TBD, Togo

October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier

DR Congo

v

Sudan

TBD, DR Congo

Coaches

Léon Mokuna (1965)
Ferenc Csanádi (1967–1968)
Léon Mokuna (1968–1970)
André Mori (1970)
Blagoje Vidinić (1970–1974)
Ştefan Stănculescu (1974–1976)
Julien Kialunda (?–?)
Otto Pfister (1985–1989)
Ali Makombo Alamande (1989)
Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1992–1993)
Louis Watunda (1993)
Pierre Kalala Mukendi (1994)
Jean-Santos Muntubila (1995)
Muhsin Ertuğral (1995–1996)
Jean-Santos Muntubila (1996–1997)
Mohamed Magassouba (1997)
Celio Barros (1997)
Saio Ernest Mokili (1997)
Louis Watunda Iyolo (1998–1999)
Médard Lusadusu Basilwa (1999–2000)
Roger Palmgren (1999–2000)
Mohamed Magassouba (2000)
Jean-Santos Muntubila (2001)
Yuri Gavrilov (2001)
Eugène Kabongo (2002)
Andy Mfutila (2002–2003)
Mick Wadsworth (2003–2004)
Claude Le Roy (2004–2006)
Henri Depireux (2006–2007)
Patrice Neveu (2008–2010)
Robert Nouzaret (2010–2011)
Claude Le Roy (2011–2013)
Jean-Santos Muntubila (2013–2014)
Florent Ibengé (2014–2019)
Christian Nsengi-Biembe (2019–2021)
Héctor Cúper (2021–2022)
Sébastien Desabre (2022–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players have been selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Guinea and Ethiopia on 16 and 19 November 2024 respectively.^[14]

Caps and goals as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Ethiopia.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Lionel Mpasi	(1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 30)	16	0	Rodez
1GK	Dimitry Bertaud	(1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 26)	9	0	Montpellier
1GK	Timothy Fayulu	(1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Sion

2DF	Chancel Mbemba (captain)	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30)	90	6	Marseille
2DF	Arthur Masuaku	(1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 31)	30	3	Beşiktaş
2DF	Henoc Inonga Baka	(1993-11-01) 1 November 1993 (age 31)	22	0	AS FAR
2DF	Gédéon Kalulu	(1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 27)	19	0	Lorient
2DF	Joris Kayembe	(1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30)	11	0	Genk
2DF	Dylan Batubinsika	(1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 28)	9	1	Saint-Étienne
2DF	Rocky Bushiri	(1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 25)	2	0	Hibernian
2DF	Peter Kioso	(1999-08-15) 15 August 1999 (age 25)	1	0	Oxford United

3MF	Meschak Elia	(1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 27)	52	11	Young Boys
3MF	Samuel Moutoussamy	(1996-08-12) 12 August 1996 (age 28)	42	0	Sivasspor
3MF	Théo Bongonda	(1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 (age 29)	25	4	Spartak Moscow
3MF	Edo Kayembe	(1998-08-03) 3 August 1998 (age 26)	26	2	Watford
3MF	Charles Pickel	(1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 27)	19	0	Cremonese
3MF	Silas Katompa Mvumpa	(1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26)	17	1	Red Star Belgrade
3MF	William Balikwisha	(1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 25)	6	0	OH Leuven
3MF	Noah Sadiki	(2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 19)	6	0	Union Saint-Gilloise
3MF	Nathanaël Mbuku	(2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 22)	3	0	Dinamo Zagreb
3MF	Ngal'ayel Mukau	(2004-11-03) 3 November 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Lille
3MF	Oscar Kabwit	(2005-05-05) 5 May 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Mazembe

4FW	Fiston Mayele	(1994-06-24) 24 June 1994 (age 30)	21	4	Pyramids
4FW	Simon Banza	(1996-08-13) 13 August 1996 (age 28)	10	0	Braga
4FW	Samuel Essende	(1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 26)	6	0	FC Augsburg

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last twelve months and are still eligible to represent.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Brudel Efonge	(1999-05-29) 29 May 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Maniema	v. Tanzania, 15 October 2024
GK	Esdras Kabamba	(1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Bravos do Maquis	v. Togo, 9 June 2024
GK	Baggio Siadi	(1997-07-21) 21 July 1997 (age 27)	4	0	Mazembe	2023 AFCON

DF	Axel Tuanzebe	(1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 27)	3	0	Ipswich Town	v. Tanzania, 10 October 2024 ^PRE
DF	Brian Bayeye	(2000-06-30) 30 June 2000 (age 24)	3	0	Torino	2023 AFCON
DF	Ngonda Muzinga	(1994-12-31) 31 December 1994 (age 29)	24	0	Riga	2023 AFCON ^PRE
DF	Merveille Bokadi	(1996-05-21) 21 May 1996 (age 28)	22	1	Standard Liège	2023 AFCON ^PRE
DF	Dieumerci Amale	(1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26)	18	0	Difaâ El Jadidi	2023 AFCON ^PRE
DF	Jordan Ikoko	(1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 (age 30)	9	0	Pafos	2023 AFCON ^PRE
DF	Vital N'Simba	(1993-07-08) 8 July 1993 (age 31)	2	0	Bordeaux	2023 AFCON ^PRE
DF	Arsène Zola	(1996-02-23) 23 February 1996 (age 28)	1	0	Wydad Casablanca	2023 AFCON ^PRE

MF	Gaël Kakuta	(1991-06-21) 21 June 1991 (age 33)	27	3	Esteghlal	v. Guinea, 16 November 2024 ^PRE
MF	Chadrac Akolo	(1995-04-01) 1 April 1995 (age 29)	26	2	St. Gallen	v. Tanzania, 10 October 2024 ^PRE
MF	Aaron Tshibola	(1995-01-25) 25 January 1995 (age 29)	14	1	Hatta	v. Togo, 9 June 2024
MF	Grady Diangana	(1998-04-19) 19 April 1998 (age 26)	5	0	West Bromwich Albion	v. Togo, 9 June 2024
MF	Omenuke Mfulu	(1994-03-20) 20 March 1994 (age 30)	7	0	Las Palmas	2023 AFCON
MF	Neeskens Kebano	(1992-03-10) 10 March 1992 (age 32)	35	6	Al Jazira	2023 AFCON ^PRE
MF	Makabi Lilepo	(1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27)	7	0	Valenciennes	2023 AFCON ^PRE
MF	Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu	(1994-03-22) 22 March 1994 (age 30)	3	0	Luton Town	2023 AFCON ^PRE
MF	Arnaud Lusamba	(1997-01-04) 4 January 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Pendikspor	2023 AFCON ^PRE
MF	Jonathan Okita	(1996-10-05) 5 October 1996 (age 28)	2	0	Zürich	2023 AFCON ^PRE

FW	Yoane Wissa	(1996-09-03) 3 September 1996 (age 28)	28	5	Brentford	v. Guinea, 16 November 2024 ^PRE
FW	Cédric Bakambu	(1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 33)	54	16	Real Betis	2023 AFCON
FW	Jonathan Bolingi	(1994-06-30) 30 June 1994 (age 30)	34	9	Vojvodina	2023 AFCON ^PRE
FW	Ben Malango	(1993-11-10) 10 November 1993 (age 31)	21	6	Qatar SC	2023 AFCON ^PRE
FW	Jackson Muleka	(1999-10-04) 4 October 1999 (age 25)	14	1	Beşiktaş	2023 AFCON ^PRE
FW	Aldo Kalulu	(1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 28)	5	0	Partizan	2023 AFCON ^PRE
FW	Gaëtan Laura	(1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 (age 29)	0	0	Samsunspor	2023 AFCON ^PRE
^INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. ^PRE Preliminary squad. ^RET Player has retired from international football. ^SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records

As of 15 October 2024^[15]

Players in bold are still active with DR Congo.

Most appearances

Chancel Mbemba is DR Congo's most capped player with 89 appearances.

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Chancel Mbemba	89	6	2012–present
2	Issama Mpeko	81	2	2011–2023
3	Robert Kidiaba	64	0	2002–2015
4	Cédric Bakambu	54	16	2015–present
5	Zola Matumona	53	9	2002–2014
5	Trésor Mputu	53	14	2004–2021
7	Joël Kimwaki	52	3	2009–2016
8	Yannick Bolasie	50	9	2013–2022
	Meschak Elia	50	11	2016–present
	Marcel Mbayo	50	4	1996–2011

Top goalscorers

Dieumerci Mbokani is DR Congo's top scorer with 22 goals.

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Dieumerci Mbokani	22	49	0.45	2005–2022
2	Cédric Bakambu	16	54	0.3	2015–present
3	Shabani Nonda	14	22	0.64	2000–2008
3	Trésor Mputu	14	53	0.26	2004–2021
5	Jean-Jacques Yemweni	12	16	0.75	2000–2007
6	Ngoy Kabongo	11	22	0.5	1981–1991
6	Meschak Elia	11	50	0.22	2016–present
8	Ndaye Mulamba	10	20	0.5	1973–1976
9	Kakoko Etepé	9	31	0.29	1970–1976
	Dioko Kaluyituka	9	31	0.29	2004–2013
	Jonathan Bolingi	9	34	0.26	2014–2022
	Ndombe Mubele	9	45	0.2	2013–2018
	Yannick Bolasie	9	50	0.18	2013–2022
	Zola Matumona	9	53	0.17	2002–2014

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville									as Congo and Congo-Léopoldville
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member								Not a FIFA member
as Congo-Kinshasa									as Congo-Kinshasa
1966	Did not enter								Did not enter
as Zaire									as Zaire
1970	Entry not accepted by FIFA								Entry not accepted by FIFA
1974	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	0	14	11	8	1	2	20	4
1978	Withdrew								Withdrew
1982	Did not qualify								4	2	1	1	6	9
1986	Banned								Banned
1990	Did not qualify								6	2	2	2	7	7
1994									3	0	1	2	1	3
1998									8	2	2	4	11	10
as DR Congo									as DR Congo
2002	Did not qualify								10	4	2	4	17	18
2006									10	4	4	2	14	10
2010									6	3	0	3	14	6
2014									8	3	3	2	11	5
2018									8	6	1	1	20	9
2022									8	3	3	2	11	8
2026	To be determined								4	2	1	1	4	2
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total	Group stage	1/15	3	0	0	3	0	14	86	39	21	26	136	91

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of Belgium								Part of Belgium
1959	Part of Belgium								Part of Belgium
1962	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
1963	Not affiliated to CAF								Not affiliated to CAF
Played as Congo-Léopoldville									Played as Congo-Léopoldville
1965	Group stage	5th	2	0	0	2	2	8	6	2	0	2	8	8
Played as Congo-Kinshasa									Played as Congo-Kinshasa
1968	Champions	1st	5	4	0	1	10	2	5	3	0	1	7	4
1970	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	2	5	Qualified as defending champions
Played as Zaire									Played as Zaire
1972	Fourth place	4th	5	1	2	2	9	11	4	4	0	0	9	3
1974	Champions	1st	6	4	1	1	14	8	4	3	0	1	12	3
1976	Group stage	7th	3	0	1	2	3	6	Qualified as defending champions
1978	Did not enter								Did not enter
1980	Did not qualify								4	3	0	1	10	10
1982	Did not qualify								4	2	0	2	8	9
1984	Withdrew								Withdrew
1986	Did not qualify								8	4	2	1	8	4
1988	Group stage	7th	3	0	2	1	2	3	4	1	3	0	3	1
1990	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	0	2
1992	Quarter-finals	6th	3	0	2	1	2	3	6	3	1	2	6	4
1994	Quarter-finals	7th	3	1	1	1	2	3	6	3	2	1	13	3
1996	Quarter-finals	8th	3	1	0	2	2	3	6	3	1	2	10	5
Played as / / DR Congo									Played as / / DR Congo
1998	Third place	3rd	6	3	1	2	10	9	6	2	3	1	6	5
2000	Group stage	12th	3	0	2	1	0	1	6	3	1	2	7	6
2002	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	3	4	8	3	3	2	13	10
2004	Group stage	15th	3	0	0	3	1	6	6	3	2	1	9	5
2006	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	3	6	10	4	4	2	14	10
2008	Did not qualify								6	3	2	1	14	10
2010									6	3	0	3	14	6
2012									6	2	3	1	11	10
2013	Group stage	10th	3	0	3	0	3	3	4	4	0	0	12	5
2015	Third place	3rd	6	1	4	1	7	7	6	3	0	3	10	9
2017	Quarter-finals	6th	4	2	1	1	7	5	6	5	0	1	16	6
2019	Round of 16	14th	4	1	1	2	6	6	6	2	3	1	8	6
2021	Did not qualify								6	2	3	1	4	5
2023	Fourth place	4th	7	1	5	1	6	5	6	4	0	2	11	4
2025	Qualified								4	4	0	0	6	0
2027	To be determined								To be determined
2029	To be determined								To be determined
Total	2 Titles	20/34	80	21	29	30	94	104	147	74	34	36	243	153

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2009	Final	Winners	5	3	1	1	7	5	4	3	0	1	7	2
2011	Quarter-finals	8th	4	1	1	2	3	5	2	1	1	0	3	2
2014	Quarter-finals	7th	4	2	0	2	3	3	2	1	1	0	2	2
2016	Final	Winners	6	4	1	1	14	7	DR Congo qualified by walkover.
2018	Did not qualify								2	0	2	0	1	1
2020	Quarter-finals		4	2	1	1	5	4	2	2	0	0	6	1
2022	Group stage	3	0	2	1	0	3	2	2	0	0	7	1
Total	2 titles	5/6	23	12	4	7	32	24	12	7	4	1	19	8

African Games

African Games record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	5th	5	3	1	1	20	8
1973-1987	Did not enter
Total	1/4	5	3	1	1	20	8

Head-to-head record

Including the record of Ethiopia. Updated as for 19 November 2024.

Opponent	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	W%	L%
Algeria	7	0	4	3	4	10	0	42.86
Angola	17	8	5	4	22	13	47.06	23.53
Bahrain	1	0	0	1	0	1	0	100
Benin	4	3	1	0	10	4	75	0
Botswana	5	2	3	0	4	0	40	0
Brazil	1	0	0	1	0	3	0	100
Burkina Faso^{[note 1]}	13	5	2	6	23	21	38.46	46.15
Burundi	4	4	0	0	9	3	100	0
Cameroon	36	11	7	18	32	46	30.56	50
Cape Verde	3	1	2	0	3	2	33.33	0
Central African Republic	7	5	1	1	18	5	71.43	14.29
Chad	1	1	0	0	4	0	100	0
Congo	38	18	12	8	66	38	47.37	21.05
Djibouti	4	3	1	0	21	3	75	0
Egypt	14	1	5	8	15	27	7.14	57.14
Equatorial Guinea	3	1	1	1	5	2	33.33	33.33
Eswatini	7	3	1	3	11	6	62.5	12.5
Ethiopia	8	6	0	2	14	6	75	25
Gabon	19	6	8	5	16	16	31.58	26.32
Gambia	3	1	1	1	3	5	33.33	33.33
Ghana	24	5	6	13	23	40	20.83	54.17
Guinea	15	6	2	5	15	11	40	33.33
Iraq	2	0	0	2	1	3	0	100
Ivory Coast	20	5	6	9	27	34	25	45
Kenya	12	6	2	4	16	13	50	33.33
Lesotho	7	3	4	0	17	4	42.86	0
Liberia	9	4	2	3	15	10	44.44	33.33
Libya	12	5	5	2	19	11	41.67	16.67
Madagascar	14	7	3	4	27	15	50	28.57
Malawi	7	4	2	1	9	6	57.14	14.29
Mali	11	2	4	5	14	18	18.18	45.45
Mauritania	5	5	0	0	15	1	100	0
Mauritius	5	5	0	0	16	3	100	0
Mexico	1	0	0	1	1	2	0	100
Morocco	17	3	9	5	14	20	17.65	29.41
Mozambique	7	5	2	0	15	7	71.43	0
Namibia	3	1	1	1	4	7	33.33	33.33
New Zealand	2	0	2	0	2	2	0	0
Niger	3	1	1	1	3	3	33.33	33.33
Nigeria	10	4	1	5	16	16	40	50
North Korea	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Oman	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	0
Qatar	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	0
Romania	2	0	2	0	2	2	0	0
Rwanda	5	2	0	3	10	7	40	60
Saudi Arabia	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	100
Scotland	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	100
Senegal	13	3	4	6	13	18	23.08	46.15
Seychelles	2	2	0	0	7	0	100	0
Sierra Leone	3	3	0	0	8	1	100	0
South Africa	9	1	2	6	5	10	11.11	66.67
Sudan	12	7	2	3	20	11	58.33	25
Tanzania	18	7	8	3	17	11	38.89	16.67
Togo	17	13	3	1	41	11	76.47	5.88
Tunisia	20	5	4	11	17	27	25	55
Uganda	16	9	2	5	29	10	56.25	31.25
Yugoslavia	1	0	0	1	0	9	0	100
Zambia	27	8	12	7	43	35	30.77	26.92
Zimbabwe	8	3	2	3	17	10	37.5	37.5

^ Includes the results of Upper Volta.

Honours

Continental

CAF African Cup of Nations
- Champions (2): 1968, 1974
- Third place (2): 1998, 2015
CAF African Nations Championship
- Champions (2): 2009, 2016

Regional

Central African Games
- Gold medal (1): 1981

Summary

Senior Competitions			Total
CAF African Cup of Nations	2	2	4
CAF African Nations Championship	2	0	2
Total	4	2	6

References

^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
^ "BBC SPORT | WORLD CUP | History | 1974: Zaire's show of shame". BBC News. 22 May 2002. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
^ "FIFA". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
^ Courtney, Barrie (14 June 2007). "DR Congo (Zaire, Congo-Kinshasa) – List of International matches". FRSSF. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
^ "Leopards roar to Germany 1974". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "More than a game? Mobutu, Sport and Zairian Identity, 1965-1974" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
^ "Explore". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
^ "BBC Sport – Football – Zaire free-kick farce explained". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
^ "The Joy of Six: Symbolic reducers, including Roy Keane, Norman Whiteside and Benjamin Massing | Football". London: theguardian.com. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
^ "Football Team Nicknames". topendsports.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
^ "Egypt vs DR Congo match Report". Global Sports Archive. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
^ "DR Congo vs Guinea match Report". Global Sports Archive. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ "RDC : Élim/CAN 2025: Une dernière liste des 26 joueurs pour clôturer en beauté avec le retour de Ngal'ayel Mukau" (in French). 30 October 2024.
^ Roberto Mamrud. "Congo-Kinshasa – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2018.

External links

Sport actualité Congo Democratic Republic
Congo DR at CAF
Congo DR at FIFA
Leopardsfoot

[16] Includes the results of Upper Volta.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.

[World_Football_Elo_Ratings-2] Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2024.

[3] "BBC SPORT | WORLD CUP | History | 1974: Zaire's show of shame". BBC News. 22 May 2002. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

[4] "FIFA". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2024.

[5] Courtney, Barrie (14 June 2007). "DR Congo (Zaire, Congo-Kinshasa) – List of International matches". FRSSF. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2010.

[6] "Leopards roar to Germany 1974". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[7] "More than a game? Mobutu, Sport and Zairian Identity, 1965-1974" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2016.

[8] "Explore". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

[9] "BBC Sport – Football – Zaire free-kick farce explained". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

[10] "The Joy of Six: Symbolic reducers, including Roy Keane, Norman Whiteside and Benjamin Massing | Football". London: theguardian.com. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.

[11] "Football Team Nicknames". topendsports.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2016.

[12] "Egypt vs DR Congo match Report". Global Sports Archive. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

[13] "DR Congo vs Guinea match Report". Global Sports Archive. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[14] "RDC : Élim/CAN 2025: Une dernière liste des 26 joueurs pour clôturer en beauté avec le retour de Ngal'ayel Mukau" (in French). 30 October 2024.

[15] Roberto Mamrud. "Congo-Kinshasa – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2018.

[3]

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[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

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[note 1]