DRC stars react to dream World Cup selection

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) national team key players have reacted to what they describe as a dream selection to the Leopards’ 26-member party for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

 

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Pyramid FC striker Fiston Mayele, Aris Limassol FC defender Gedeon Kalulu, Atromitos Athens FC forward Samuel Moutoussamy, his Alanyaspor FC compatriot Meschack Elia and Newcastle United’s Yaone Wissa have separately commented on the World Cup selection.

The Egypt-based Mayele, the only player in the DRC squad drawn from Africa, shared his emotions of having to come to terms with the reality that he will play at the World Cup finals.

Fiston Mayele and Yaone Wissa in their own words

“At first, it was just a dream and a wish cradled with faith for the love of childhood football. With time and work, it became a prayer…today, it became a reality,” the former Yanga SC crowd-puller wrote via his Facebook page on Monday, 18 May 2026.

On the other hand, Wissa on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, kept it simple via his Facebook page, saying: “What a pride.

Taking his turn, Greece-based Moutoussamy took to his X account to describe his inclusion in the Leopards’ squad as a childhood dream being fulfilled.

World Cup dream for Samuel Moutoussamy

Un rêve qui devient réalité ! Tellement fier de représenter notre pays à la Coupe du monde… C’est un honneur de faire partie de cette aventure et de défendre nos couleurs.

On fera tout pour vous rendre fiers et donner la meilleure image possible du pays.

Sam 🇨🇩🐆 pic.twitter.com/XUejfR4z3i

— Moutouss🇨🇩 (@S_Moutoussamy) May 18, 2026

“A dream comes true! So proud to represent our country at the World Cup… It’s an honour to be part of this adventure and to defend our colours. We’ll do everything to make you proud and give the best possible image of the country,” he tweeted.

Elia, who is based in Turkey, also described his call up as a great honour and pledged to wear the shirt with pride and make the Leopards proud at the World Cup.

Source of pride for Meschack Elia

“Today, it is a great honour and a great emotion for me to have been selected to represent DRC at the biggest competition in the world: the World Cup,” the 28-year-old tweeted.

“It is a childhood dream come true. I have always worked my whole life to one day live this moment…wearing our country’s colours at the highest level is a great pride. I promise to give everything on the ground to honour the DRC.”

Kalulu makes World Cup promise

Kalulu, a regular in the league of Cyprus, welcomed his World Cup selection while promising to give his all to the Leopards.

“It is an immense source of pride and an incredible honour to be on this list to represent Congo in the United States. We will give everything to make you proud, for the people,” he wrote on his Facebook page @Gedeon Kalulu.

DR Congo will return to the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 52 years since their last appearance in 1974.

The Leopards will compete from the group stage against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan in the tournament scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the United States, Mexico and Canada.