Diary

Wednesday, 1 April 2026 - Authorities in the Democratic Republic Congo have declared Wednesday a public holiday after the national football team qualified for their first World Cup in 52 years. The Leopards reached the finals last night when Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Jamaica in the play-off. DR Congo's ministry of labour and employment said that as a result of the "historic" victory, the nation could have the day off work to "celebrate in unity, fervour and national pride". The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before - in 1974 when the country was named Zaire. Numerous employers honoured the holiday today, with many banks and shops shut throughout the day in the capital, Kinshasa. However some employers proceeded with the work day as normal as the announcement - made at approximately 08:00 local time (07:00 GMT) - came at such short notice.

Wednesday, 20 May 2026 - West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa have been named in DR Congo's squad for the World Cup. Croydon-born Wan-Bissaka, 28, was capped by England at Under-21 level, and was called into the senior squad in 2019 but did not make an appearance. The former Manchester United full-back switched international allegiances to DR Congo in August 2025 and has made nine appearances for the Leopards. Wissa, who has struggled with form and injuries since he joined Newcastle from Brentford last summer, has been selected after being omitted from their squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe has been included in the party but Hibernian centre-back Rocky Bushiri, who limped out of their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend with a suspected Achilles injury, has pulled out of the squad. The 26-year-old has been replaced by Kilmarnock defensive midfielder Aaron Tshibola. Watford's Edo Kayembe and Sunderland's Noah Sadiki were named among DR Congo's midfielders. DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has also recalled experienced 34-year-old Gael Kakuta to the squad. Former Chelsea midfielder Kakuta has played only twice in the last two years for the Congolese. DR Congo compete in Group K at the finals where they take on Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Thursday, 21 May 2026 - The Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its pre-World Cup training camp in the capital, Kinshasa, because of an Ebola outbreak in the east of the country. The virus is thought to have killed more than 130, including a person whose case was confirmed on Thursday in the South Kivu province, signalling the spread of the virus from the outbreak's epicentre. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern", but said it was not at pandemic level. A spokesperson for DR Congo's football team told reporters that the training camp would now take place in Belgium. Jerry Kalemo added that DR Congo's pre-tournament games in Europe would go ahead as planned. The Leopards are due to play friendly matches against Denmark, on 3 June in Belgium, and Chile, on 9 June in Spain, ahead of the World Cup finals. They play their first match of the tournament in the US city of Houston on 17 June against Portugal. "Originally scheduled to take place in the capital on May 26, the Leopards' public training session will not be held after all. This decision follows reports of suspected Ebola cases in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri," a message posted by the team on social media said. There is also uncertainty over whether the team's French coach, Sébastien Desabre, will go ahead with a press conference scheduled to take place in the capital city, the statement added.

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 - Denmark 0 Congo DR 0 -

Sunday, 7 June 2026 - DR Congo's final World Cup warm-up game against Chile will take place behind closed doors amid concerns about the Ebola outbreak in the African nation. The match is scheduled to take place in the French city of Orleans on Tuesday. It had been due to be played in La Linea de la Concepcion in Spain before a local mayor signed a decree preventing it from taking place there as a "precautionary measure". World Cup hosts the United States require squad and officials to spend 21 days outside DR Congo and symptom-free before they would be permitted to enter the country. They plan to base themselves in Houston during the tournament and are scheduled to open their Group K campaign there against Portugal on 17 June. They will then travel to the Mexican city of Guadalajara to face Colombia before returning to the United States to take on Uzbekistan in Atlanta. The outbreak in eastern DR Congo has been caused by a rare species of Ebola known as Bundibugyo. There is currently no vaccine for this species and the World Health Organisation has said it could take up to nine months for a jab to be ready.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026 - DR Congo 1 Chile 2 -

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 - Portugal 1 DR Congo 1 - Portugal were held to a disappointing draw by an impressive DR Congo side in their opening game of the World Cup. Midfielder Joao Neves headed them into a sixth-minute lead, but Roberto Martinez's side failed to convert their dominance of possession into attempts on goal. And they were punished in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa was left unmarked to meet Arthur Masuaku's cross from six yards to head home DR Congo's first World Cup goal. DR Congo, ranked 46th in the world, appear a much tougher proposition for opponents and were good value for their point - defending well and threatening on the counter-attack. Cedric Bakambu hit the post with a close-range shot, although it might not have counted had he scored as the referee blew up for an earlier foul, and fired another effort wide. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo's two best chances came in quick succession midway through the second half when he twice got on the end of low cut-backs by substitute Francisco Conceicao, but shot just wide on both occasions. For all their talent, they were Portugal's third and fourth shots of the match respectively, with their only attempt on target in the entire match being Neves' headed finish from Pedro Neto's left-wing cross.

Wednesday, 24 June 2026 - Colombia 1 DR Congo 0 - Daniel Munoz's deflected strike was enough for Colombia to beat DR Congo and secure their place in the World Cup knockout stage. Roared on by the vast majority of the crowd in Guadalajara, Colombia missed a host of chances before Crystal Palace wing-back Munoz broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Juan Fernando Quintero's clever pass found its way to Munoz and his left-footed shot took a touch off the defender to wrong-foot DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi and sneak in at the near post. A second straight win puts Colombia top of Group K and clinches their place in the last 32, while DR Congo are third and need to beat Uzbekistan in their last group game to have any chance of progressing. Match-winner Munoz was a threat throughout and should have put Colombia ahead inside four minutes, but put his close-range shot into the side netting after Jhon Arias' shot had been parried into his path. Two minutes later, Munoz did bundle the ball into the net after his initial header was saved but, while it was very tight, he was just offside. Colombia continued were dominant during a relentless opening 20 minutes but could not find a way past Mpasi. They remained on top after half-time and Luis Diaz should have put them in front on 50 minutes, but could not find the net with just Mpasi to beat, while Arias dragged the follow-up wide. But just as it seemed it would be a night of frustration for Colombia, Quintero slid the ball into Munoz's path and he beat Mpasi. DR Congo pushed for a leveller late on but Colombia held on for a deserved victory.

Sunday, 28 June 2026 - DR Congo 3 Uzbekistan 1 - DR Congo set up a World Cup last-32 meeting with England by reaching the knockouts for the first time as they came from behind to beat Uzbekistan in their final group-stage game. Eldor Shomurodov capitalised on a defensive mix-up to give Uzbekistan the advantage when he dinked an effort over the goalkeeper, after Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka miscommunicated and took too long to challenge for a loose ball. Uzbekistan were on top throughout much of the first half and produced attacking flair as they pressed to extend their lead. But it was the African side who came closest to scoring, and had a goal arguably harshly disallowed for a foul in their own half in the build-up before Nathanael Mbuku fizzed an effort inside the near post. With progression to the knockouts on the line, DR Congo came out after the break with added energy as they looked for a way to snatch the three points. They were handed a lifeline when Newcastle's Yoane Wissa was clumsily tripped inside the box by Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov, with Wissa then stroking past the goalkeeper from the penalty spot. Fiston Mayele then put DR Congo ahead by prodding past Abduvohid Nematov from close range after he tracked the path of a deflected Meschack Elia shot. Wissa then wrapped up victory in style as he arrowed an effort inside the far post from the edge of the box in stoppage time. Victory means DR Congo finish third in Group K and will play England in Atlanta on Wednesday.