Wan-Bissaka: “The team worked together to qualify for World Cup”

DR Congo broke a long standing jinx to book a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, March 31 at the Akron Stadium in Mexico.

The Central African nation’s journey to Canada, USA and Mexico started in Morocco where they eliminated Nigeria in the finals of the CAF playoffs.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka🎤 « Vous savez, C’est la maison. On est chez soi, et je suis ici pour représenter d’où je vient 🇨🇩 » pic.twitter.com/DBDLmDVI57

— JR (😛😛😛) (@KriiKouuz243RDC) April 1, 2026

The game ended 1-1 with DR Congo posting a 4-3 penalty shootout victory to progress to the inter-confederation playoffs pathway.

Sebastien Desabre’s men needed Axel Tuanzebe’s only goal to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 52-years.

Wan-Bissaka switched to play for DR Congo

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who switched allegiance from England to represent DR Congo, could not hide his happiness after the memorable victory.

“I’m lost for words to be honest, as a team we’ve been working together to get here and finally here,” he said at the mixed zone.

“Home is home and I’m here to represent where I come from.”

DR Congo will now join Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia for the tournament to be co-hosted by Canada, USA and Mexico.

They first qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1974 as Zaire and they will look to make an impact this year.