DR Congo are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
That is a 52-year wait.
Their qualification campaign was one of the most dramatic in African football.
They finished second in their qualifying group behind Senegal, then beat Cameroon 1-0 in the African playoff semi-final in Rabat, before reaching the inter-confederation playoffs and eventually sealing their place at the tournament.
Under French coach Sébastien Desabre, DR Congo have assembled a diaspora-built squad full of European-based talent, Premier League experience, and the kind of attacking quality that can trouble anyone on their day.
They are in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, and the Leopards are not here just to make up the numbers.
Here are the 10 best soccer players from DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup.
1. Yoane Wissa — Forward
Position: Forward/Winger
Age: 29 | Club: Newcastle United (England)
Yoane Wissa is DR Congo’s most dangerous attacker and the player opponents will spend the most time planning around.
The Newcastle United forward spent three brilliant seasons at Brentford before his move to St James’ Park, and has been one of the most exciting wide forwards in the Premier League.
With 38 caps and 9 international goals, he brings pace, directness, and clinical finishing from wide positions.
He is fast, explosive, and capable of producing the individual moment that changes a group stage game.
He is one of the fastest and most dangerous wide forwards at this World Cup.
2. Cédric Bakambu — Forward
Position: Striker
Age: 35 | Club: Real Betis (Spain)
Cédric Bakambu is DR Congo’s most experienced attacker and the man on the verge of history.
With 21 international goals in 70 caps, he is just one goal short of Dieumerci Mbokani’s all-time DR Congo scoring record.
The Real Betis forward brings La Liga experience, aerial threat, and a big-game mentality that gives Desabre a completely different attacking option alongside the quicker Wissa.
At 35, this is almost certainly his final World Cup, and he will be desperate to leave his mark.
He is one of the most accomplished strikers over 35 at the tournament.
3. Chancel Mbemba — Defender (Captain)
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 31 | Club: Lille (France)
Chancel Mbemba is DR Congo’s captain and their record appearance holder with 109 caps — the most any Congolese player has ever earned.
The Lille centre-back rebuilt his career from an erratic defender at Newcastle United into a composed, commanding leader at Porto, Marseille, and now Lille in Ligue 1.
He organises the defence, leads by example, and brings the kind of experience this young squad needs on the biggest stage.
When he retires, Chancel Mbemba will be one of the most underrated African footballers of his generation.
4. Aaron Wan-Bissaka — Defender
Position: Right-Back
Age: 28 | Club: West Ham United (England)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of the most recognisable names in this DR Congo squad globally, having switched his international allegiance from England to DR Congo to play at this World Cup.
The West Ham right-back built his reputation as one of the Premier League’s best one-on-one defenders during five years at Manchester United, and he brings that Premier League-tested quality to Desabre’s defensive setup.
With 12 caps since his switch, his defensive intensity and physical presence make him one of the most difficult full-backs to beat in this tournament.
He is one of the best full-backs at the 2026 World Cup.
5. Meschak Elia — Forward/Midfielder
Position: Winger/Forward
Age: 28 | Club: Alanyaspor (Turkey)
Meschak Elia is DR Congo’s most capped attacker in this squad with 69 caps and 12 international goals.
He has been a consistent performer for the national team across multiple qualifying campaigns and gives Desabre real width and directness in attacking positions.
He is explosive, hard to track, and capable of creating and scoring in equal measure.
His experience and goal threat from wide positions make him one of the most important players in this squad alongside Wissa.
He is one of the best wide attackers DR Congo have produced.
6. Arthur Masuaku — Defender
Position: Left-Back/Wing-Back
Age: 32 | Club: Lens (France)
Arthur Masuaku is one of DR Congo’s most experienced defenders with 45 caps and 4 international goals and a career that has taken him through West Ham, Besiktas, and now Lens in Ligue 1.
He provides the attacking outlet on the left side of the defence, with his driving runs and crossing ability making him more than just a defensive option.
He is reliable, physically strong, and gives Desabre the kind of experienced left-back quality needed against the world-class forward lines DR Congo will face in Group K.
He is one of the best left-backs in African football.
7. Noah Sadiki — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21 | Club: Sunderland (England)
Noah Sadiki is the most exciting young midfielder in this DR Congo squad and one of the youngest players at the tournament.
The Sunderland midfielder has 20 caps at just 21 years old and brings the energy, tenacity, and physical presence that Desabre needs in the engine room of his midfield.
He is one of the four Premier League-based players in this squad and one of the most promising young midfielders DR Congo have ever had.
At 21, a strong World Cup could transform his career.
8. Théo Bongonda — Midfielder/Winger
Position: Winger/Midfielder
Age: 30 | Club: Spartak Moscow (Russia)
Théo Bongonda is one of the most technically gifted wide players in this DR Congo squad with 38 caps and 7 international goals.
He is quick, creative, and capable of playing on either flank, giving Desabre real flexibility in how he deploys his attacking options.
His flair and directness complement the more physical Wissa and Elia and give DR Congo variety in their attacking approach.
He is one of the best creative wide players in this squad.
9. Charles Pickel — Midfielder
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Age: 29 | Club: Espanyol (Spain)
Charles Pickel is the disciplined defensive midfielder who provides the structural foundation of Desabre’s midfield.
The Espanyol man has 34 caps and plays with the kind of positional intelligence and defensive discipline that a team facing Portugal and Colombia in Group K absolutely needs.
He wins the ball, covers the defence, and allows the more creative players around him to express themselves.
He is one of the most reliable defensive midfielders in the squad.
10. Ngal’ayel Mukau — Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21 | Club: Lille (France)
Ngal’ayel Mukau is the most exciting prospect in this entire DR Congo squad and one of the youngest and most talented midfielders at the 2026 World Cup.
The Lille midfielder has 14 caps at just 21 and plays his club football alongside captain Chancel Mbemba at one of the best clubs in French football.
He is dynamic, technically gifted, and capable of driving forward from midfield with real intent.
He is exactly the kind of young talent that a first World Cup in 52 years can launch onto a global stage.
Conclusion
DR Congo arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
They are not here by accident.
Their squad is packed with Premier League experience, European talent, and the goal threat of Wissa and Bakambu.
Group K against Portugal and Colombia is tough.
But DR Congo have the quality to make it far more interesting than a 52-year wait might suggest, and their final group game against Uzbekistan in Atlanta offers a very real path to the next round.
Other players worth watching include Gaël Kakuta, Axel Tuanzebe, Fiston Mayele, and Nathanaël Mbuku.
Who do you think will be DR Congo’s standout player at the 2026 World Cup? Let us know in the comments!
