DR Congo confident ahead of World Cup play-off final as Nigeria dispute eligibility

By Kunle Solaja.

As controversy surrounds DR Congo’s participation in the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s coach, Sébastien Desabre, has declared that the entire nation will “come to a standstill” when the Leopards play their decisive qualification match later this month.

Nigeria have lodged a protest challenging the eligibility of the Central African side following their dramatic play-off clash, a dispute that could yet influence the outcome of the qualification race for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Despite the off-field uncertainty, Desabre insists his team remain focused on securing their place at the global showpiece.

Speaking in an interview published on FIFA’s official website ahead of the play-off final in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 31, the French tactician said his side were fully motivated to complete a long and demanding qualifying journey.

“We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective,” Desabre said. “This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It’s definitely been a long road to get here, and we’ve worked our way through every stage.”

The Leopards are chasing a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, having made their only appearance in 1974 when the country was still known as Zaire.

DR Congo players are looking forward to a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.

To secure qualification, DR Congo must defeat either Jamaica or New Caledonia in the play-off final, with the winner earning one of the last tickets to the 2026 tournament.

Desabre acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion but urged his players to remain composed despite the historic opportunity.

“We all want to go to the World Cup, but we can’t let our emotions get the better of us,” he said. “What matters is playing well, staying grounded and giving everything on the pitch to make Congo proud.”

The coach highlighted the unity within the squad as one of the team’s key strengths.

“The players share a strong bond on and off the pitch. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Our forwards track back, our defenders push forward – we fight together like soldiers going into battle for our country.”

Desabre also pointed to the team’s defensive discipline during qualifying, having conceded just once in their last four matches, while maintaining attacking efficiency.

“We have talented players at top clubs, and everyone has bought into the project we’ve been building,” he added.

The DR Congo coach referenced the earlier play-off clash with Nigeria – a tense encounter decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw – as the type of performance his side must replicate in the final.

“We need to deliver the kind of performance we produced against Nigeria,” he said.

With qualification within touching distance, Desabre believes the match could become a defining moment for football in the Central African nation.

“The Congolese are passionate about football, and some people are going through difficult times,” he said. “I know the whole nation will come to a standstill on 31 March so they can watch the match. We hope we can give our fans the lift they deserve.”

For Desabre, guiding DR Congo to the World Cup would represent the culmination of more than three years of rebuilding.

“When I took the job, the team had hit a rough patch, but I believed in them from the start,” he said. “Now we are within touching distance of our goal.”

While the Leopards prepare for a warm-up match against Bermuda before travelling to Mexico, attention in African football circles remains divided between the upcoming play-off final and Nigeria’s protest, which questions whether DR Congo were eligible to take part in the decisive stage of the qualification process.

The outcome of that dispute could ultimately determine whether the Leopards’ dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time in more than half a century becomes a reality.

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