DR Congo Celebrates Historic World Cup Qualification, Declares National Holiday
Kinshasa, DR Congo — The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) erupted in celebration this week as the national football team, the Leopards, secured a historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup — the country's first appearance on football's biggest stage in 52 years. The government declared a national holiday on Wednesday, according to multiple reports, allowing citizens to join in the festivities.
The Leopards earned their spot with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico, with the winning goal coming in extra time. The nation last competed in the World Cup in 1974, when it was known as Zaire. This achievement makes DRC the 10th African nation to qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Nationwide Celebrations
From the streets of Kinshasa to the eastern city of Goma, fans took to the streets in droves, braving rain and enduring long waits to celebrate the historic moment. Videos circulating on social media showed supporters draped in the national colors of blue, yellow, and red, waving flags, beating drums, and blowing vuvuzelas.
In Goma, a city that has faced months of instability and economic hardship, the victory provided a rare moment of unity and relief. Fan Mélisse Bitwenge told reporters, "We're already in Goma and we're under a lot of stress, but the 'Leopards' have just helped us forget all that. We're so happy, you can tell I've even lost my voice with joy."
Another supporter, Christian Mihigo, expressed the generational significance of the achievement: "Today is truly a historic day, we are full of joy as you can see! DRCongo's qualification after 52 years is historic, because it was our parents who last saw us at the World Cup, but today we are part of a story that we will tell our children!"
In the capital, Kinshasa, the team received a hero's welcome upon their return on Sunday. What is normally a 20-kilometre drive from the airport to the city centre turned into a nearly four-hour journey as tens of thousands of jubilant fans flooded the streets to greet their heroes.
Government Recognition and Rewards
At an official reception, President Félix Tshisekedi hailed the Leopards' accomplishment and announced substantial rewards for the players. "I promised them that if they took us to the World Cup, the Congolese people and the Congolese government would do whatever they asked," Tshisekedi said, according to reports. "What I am about to tell you has already been done: every Leopard player here has already been given a car and a house by the government."
The player rewards were first reported by a single source and have not been independently confirmed by other outlets. However, the president's statement was widely covered in the local and international media.
The government's decision to declare a national holiday on Wednesday was also reported by multiple outlets, reflecting the significance of the achievement for the nation. According to the BBC, the Ministry of Labour and Employment announced that citizens could have the day off "to celebrate in unity, fervour and national pride."
Players Reflect on Historic Achievement
Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi, who plays for French club Le Havre AC, spoke to RFI about the lingering impact of the qualification. "I don't know if I've come back down to earth," he said. "But I remember the smiles and the celebrations after the match, right from the final whistle. The relief of having done it, it was indescribable. I think I'll really realise it when we get there."
Mpasi also described the welcome in Kinshasa as "madness," noting that many Congolese have never seen their country at a World Cup. "My parents are around 50 years old – they were babies, or maybe my father was eight or 10, when Zaire played in the World Cup," he recalled. "So many people in DRC have never seen the country at a World Cup. You could feel it, because the welcome we received from the people was historic."
Team captain Chancel Mbemba echoed those sentiments, paying tribute to the supporters. "We're still here; the war isn't over yet," Mbemba said, referring to ongoing conflicts in parts of the country. "But first of all, I want to say thank you, because it's been 52 years, and thanks to the Head of State, we, the children, have had this opportunity to fight for our country."
Mbemba emphasized that the qualification was a collective effort: "We did not fight alone; you have stood by us from the very beginning, and the honour belongs to the whole country. Others started before us, and now it is our turn, today, and we will fight for this country."
Road Ahead at the World Cup
The Leopards are now preparing for their World Cup campaign, with group-stage matches scheduled against Portugal (June 17 in Houston), Colombia (June 23 in Guadalajara), and Uzbekistan (June 27 in Atlanta), according to reports. These fixtures were confirmed by multiple sources, though the full schedule has yet to be officially released.
As the celebrations continue, the team carries with them the hopes of a nation eager to celebrate both a footballing revival and a moment of national pride. For many, this qualification is not just a sporting achievement but a historic milestone that transcends generations.