DR Congo World Cup 2026 Odds, Squad & Fixtures

DR Congo World Cup 2026 betting odds

DR Congo are 1000/1 rank outsiders to win the World Cup, as our World Cup winner odds guide shows. But Sébastien Desabre’s Leopards made the perfect start on their return after 52 years — a battling 1-1 draw with Portugal, sealed by Yoane Wissa’s first-ever World Cup goal for the nation, has lifted their knockout hopes.

DR Congo to win the World Cup 2026 outright

At 1000/1 a tournament win is fantasy — for DR Congo, the point against Portugal already makes this a successful return, and a first-ever knockout appearance is now firmly in their sights.

DR Congo to win Group K odds

The draw with Portugal shortened DR Congo’s group price to 14/1, and with Colombia and Portugal level at the top, the Leopards are right in the qualification mix in a wide-open group.

DR Congo to qualify from Group K odds

The opening point transformed DR Congo’s outlook — with the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing under the 48-team format, a knockout place is a genuine possibility, with games against Colombia and Uzbekistan to come.

DR Congo stage of elimination odds

The market still leans towards a group-stage exit, but the Portugal point has put a best-third-placed berth — and a first-ever knockout appearance — within reach for Desabre’s well-organised side.

DR Congo top scorer odds

Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa, who headed the historic equaliser against Portugal, is DR Congo’s most dangerous attacker and leads their scoring hopes in the Golden Boot market, with veteran Cédric Bakambu the other focal point.

Odds correct as of 17 June 2026 and subject to change — always confirm the live price before betting. For the full outright market, group winners and golden-boot specials, see our World Cup 2026 betting hub.

World Cup 2026 group and fixtures

DR Congo are in Group K at the World Cup with Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. On their first appearance since 1974, Sébastien Desabre’s Leopards earned a famous 1-1 draw with Portugal and sit level on a point with the European side. With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing under the 48-team format, a knockout place is a genuine target.

Group K standings

Standings as of 17 June 2026 — after Matchday 1 (Portugal 1-1 DR Congo, Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan). Top two plus the eight best third-placed sides reach the Round of 32.

DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad

Desabre’s squad leans heavily on diaspora talent — Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa and West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka the headline names, captain Chancel Mbemba anchoring the defence, and veteran striker Cédric Bakambu still leading the line.

Team news: Wissa was the hero against Portugal, heading home the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal from an Arthur Masuaku cross; the back five limited Portugal to a single shot on target. The numbers below are the confirmed FIFA squad list.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

How DR Congo will play

Desabre sets DR Congo up in a compact, well-drilled 5-3-2, defending in numbers with a back five and looking to spring Wissa and Bakambu on the counter. Against Portugal it was a masterclass in organisation — they soaked up 75% possession, limited the favourites to one shot on target, and struck through Wissa for a deserved point.

Predicted XI (5-3-2)

Predicted starting XI — 5-3-2, based on the side that held Portugal. Captain: Chancel Mbemba.

Manager: Sébastien Desabre

The experienced French coach has overseen DR Congo’s resurgence, guiding them to an AFCON semi-final and now a first World Cup in over half a century. His organised, defensively solid approach was vindicated against Portugal, where his back five frustrated one of the tournament favourites.

Captain: Chancel Mbemba

The most-capped player in DR Congo’s history, the centre-back captains the side and marshals the back five that held Portugal. A composed, experienced leader, he is the cornerstone of the Leopards’ defensive resilience.

DR Congo players to watch at World Cup 2026

Yoane Wissa — Forward

The Newcastle forward wrote his name into history with DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal against Portugal. Their most dangerous attacker and best hope of more goals.

Chancel Mbemba — Defender

Captain and record cap-holder. He marshalled the back five that limited Portugal to a single shot on target — the foundation of everything DR Congo do.

Arthur Masuaku — Defender

The attacking full-back supplied the cross for Wissa’s historic equaliser and offers a threat going forward from wing-back.

How DR Congo qualified for World Cup 2026

DR Congo came through CAF qualifying — built on a miserly defence — to reach a first World Cup since 1974, the high point of their resurgence under Sébastien Desabre.

DR Congo’s World Cup history

DR Congo’s only previous World Cup came in 1974 as Zaire, where they became the first sub-Saharan African nation to reach the finals but lost all three games. The point against Portugal in 2026 — and Wissa’s historic goal — already eclipsed that return, a landmark for Congolese football.

Head-to-head record

DR Congo vs Portugal

The 1-1 draw in Houston was a famous result — DR Congo defended superbly, restricting Portugal to one shot on target, and struck through Wissa’s first-half stoppage-time header for a historic point.

DR Congo vs Colombia

The Leopards face Colombia in Guadalajara, a key game in the race for a knockout place after both sides’ contrasting openers.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan

DR Congo close against debutants Uzbekistan in Atlanta, potentially a decider for a best-third-placed berth.

Responsible gambling

Odds in this article are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. Always check the latest prices on the bookmaker’s site before placing a bet.

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