Wikipedia

DR Congo national football team

(Redirected from Democratic Republic of the Congo national football team)
Not to be confused with Congo national football team.
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see DR Congo women's national football team.

The DR Congo national football team (French: Équipe nationale de football de la République démocratique du Congo), recognised by FIFA as Congo DR, represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo in men's international football and it is controlled by the Congolese Association Football Federation. They are nicknamed Les Léopards, meaning The Leopards.[3] The team is a member of FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

DR Congo
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Les Léopards
English: The Leopards
AssociationFédération Congolaise de Football-Association (FECOFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNIFFAC (Central Africa)
Head coachSébastien Desabre
CaptainChancel Mbemba
Most capsChancel Mbemba (89)
Top scorerDieumerci Mbokani (22)
Home stadiumStade des Martyrs
FIFA codeCOD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 57 Increase 1 (24 October 2024)[1]
Highest28 (July–August 2017)
Lowest133 (October 2011)
First international
Belgian Congo 3–2 Northern Rhodesia 
(Belgian Congo; Date Unknown 1948)
Biggest win
 Congo-Kinshasa 10–1 Zambia 
(Kinshasa, Congo DR; 22 November 1969)
Biggest defeat
 Yugoslavia 9–0 Zaire 
(Gelsenkirchen, West Germany; 18 June 1974)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first in 1974)
Best resultGroup stage (1974)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances20 (first in 1965)
Best resultChampions (1968, 1974)
African Nations Championship
Appearances5 (first in 2009)
Best resultChampions, (2009, 2016)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2016)
Best resultFourth place (2016)

Congo DR have been ranked as high as 28th in the FIFA Rankings, as Zaire they were the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and twice won the Africa Cup of Nations. They are also one of the most successful teams in the African Nations Championship with 2 titles, along with Morocco. They are currently ranked 63rd in the FIFA Rankings.[4]

History

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Early history

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The Congolese Association Football Federation was founded in 1919 when the country was not independent. The team played their first game in 1948 as Belgian Congo against Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia. The team recorded a 3–2 victory at home. DR Congo has been FIFA affiliated since 1962 and has been a member of CAF since 1963. The team's first official match was on 11 April 1963, against Mauritania in the L'Amitié Tournament played in Dakar, Senegal. DR Congo won the match 6–0.[5] The national team appeared in the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 1965.

Glory period

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo had its first international success at the 1968 African Cup of Nations held in Ethiopia, beating Ghana 1–0 in the final. The team's biggest ever win came on 22 November 1969 when they recorded a 10–1 home victory against Zambia. Although a handful of Congolese players were playing in Europe (particularly Belgium) during these years, foreign-based players were seldom recalled for international duty; a rare exception was Julien Kialunda who represented Zaire (as the country was by then known) at the 1972 African Cup of Nations while playing for Anderlecht.

The second continental title came at the 1974 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Leopards recorded a 2–1 victory against Guinea, another 2–1 victory against rivals Congo and a 4–1 victory against Mauritius. These results carried Zaire through to the semi-finals where they beat hosts Egypt 3–2. In the final, Zaire drew with Zambia 2–2. Therefore, the match was replayed two days later, where Zaire won the game 2–0. Zaire player Ndaye Mulamba was top scorer with nine goals, which remains a record for the tournament. After this, the team returned to Zaire on the Presidential plane, lent to them by Mobutu Sese Seko.

Zaire were the first Sub-Saharan African team to participate in a World Cup, qualifying for the 1974 tournament in place of the 1970 participant Morocco, whom they defeated in the decisive qualifier 3–0 in Kinshasa.[6] Such was the desire to foster an identity of Zaire as a global player that Mobutu paid for advertising hoardings at the World Cup to display messages such as ‘Zaire-Peace’ and ‘Go to Zaire’.[7] At the tournament itself, Zaire did not manage to score any goals and lost all of its games, but gave credible performances against Scotland and Brazil. However, their 9–0 loss against Yugoslavia remains one of the worst World Cup defeats. A bizarre moment came in the match versus Brazil; facing a free-kick 25 yards out, defender Mwepu Ilunga, upon hearing the referee blow his whistle, ran out of the Zaire wall and kicked the ball upfield, for which he received a yellow card. This was voted the 17th greatest World Cup moment in a Channel 4 poll.[8] Ilunga has stated that he was quite aware of the rules and was hoping to convince the referee to send him off. The intended red card would have been a protest against his country's authorities, who were alleged to be depriving the players of their earnings.[9] Many contemporary commentators instead held it to be an example of African football's "naïvety and indiscipline".[10]

Crisis period

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Zaire versus Brazil in the 1974 World Cup
 
Zaire versus Scotland in 1974 World Cup

After winning the 1974 African Cup of Nations and participating in the 1974 World Cup, the team was eliminated in the first round of the 1976 African Cup of Nations after recording a draw and two losses in the group stage. Morocco went on to win the tournament. From 1978 to 1986, the country did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, while not participating in qualification for the 1978 World Cup and 1986 World Cup. In the 1988 African Cup of Nations, Zaire finished last in their group despite having two draws.

Return to success

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From 1992 to 1996, Zaire, reached three consecutive African Cup of Nations quarter-finals. In 1992 and 1994, they were beaten by Nigeria, and in 1996 they were beaten by Ghana. In 1997, the country returned to its former name of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the national team was re-branded as the Simbas, a nickname that stuck for the next nine years.[11] DR Congo played their first game on 8 June 1997 in Pointe-Noire which ended in a 1–0 loss to the Republic of the Congo. At the 1998 African Cup of Nations, DR Congo, led by Louis Watunda, surprisingly took third place, beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals and hosts Burkina Faso 4–1 on penalties in their last match after scoring three late goals to tie the encounter 4–4.

At the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the team finished third in their group, and in 2002 were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Senegal. Then, in 2004, DR Congo were eliminated after three straight defeats in the group stages. In 2006, led by Claude Le Roy, having finished second in the group behind Cameroon, the Congolese were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Egypt 4–1.

Struggles

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DR Congo were drawn in group 10 for qualifications for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, along with Libya, Namibia and Ethiopia. Before the last match day, the Congolese led the group, but they drew 1–1 with Libya in their final match while Namibia beat Ethiopia 3–2. This sent Namibia through to the Finals, while the Leopards were eliminated. DR Congo also failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. In 2009, DR Congo won the 2009 African Championship of Nations, a competition reserved to players in domestic leagues, a tournament they would again win in 2016. DR Congo reached the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa but were knocked out in the group stages after drawing all three matches.

The Ibengé era: rise and near World Cup miss

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In the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, DR Congo again drew all three group matches but this time finished second in the group behind Tunisia, and therefore advanced to the quarter-finals to play their rivals Republic of Congo, a match in which the Leopards came from two goals down to win 4–2. However, they were knocked out by the Ivory Coast 3–1 in the semi-finals. They ended up finishing third, beating Equatorial Guinea on penalties, after the third place match finished 0–0 in regulation time.

DR Congo under Ibengé improved radically and had an outstanding performance for many decades in a World Cup qualification. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, DR Congo was grouped with Libya, Tunisia and Guinea. DR Congo managed an outstanding performance, beating Libya and Guinea home and away, but missed the chance after losing 1–2 to eventual World Cup qualifier Tunisia in Tunis and drew 2–2 at home to the same opponent.

Home stadium

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Stade des Martyrs has been the home of the national team since its establishment and they roughly play their games at Lubumbashi.

Results and fixtures

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Main article: DR Congo national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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19 November 2026 World Cup qualification Sudan   1–0   DR Congo Benina, Libya
18:00 UTC+2
  • Pickel   79' (o.g.)
 Report Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium
Attendance: 3,700
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)

2024

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6 January Friendly DR Congo   0–0   Angola Dubai, United Arab Emirates
15:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Shabab Al Ahli Stadium
Referee: Sultan Al–Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
10 January Friendly DR Congo   1–2   Burkina Faso Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
17:00 UTC+4
Report
Stadium: Baniyas Stadium
Attendance: 0
17 January 2023 AFCON GS DR Congo   1–1   Zambia San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Attendance: 15,478
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
21 January 2023 AFCON GS Morocco   1–1   DR Congo San-Pédro, Ivory Coast
14:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Attendance: 13,342
Referee: Peter Waweru (Kenya)
24 January 2023 AFCON GS Tanzania   0–0   DR Congo Korhogo, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium
Attendance: 12,847
Referee: Amin Omar (Egypt)
28 January 2023 AFCON R16 Egypt   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(7–8 p)		   DR Congo San Pédro, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laurent Pokou Stadium
Attendance: 12,342[12]
Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
Penalties
2 February 2023 AFCON QF DR Congo   3–1   Guinea Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 33,278[13]
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
7 February 2023 AFCON SF Ivory Coast   1–0   DR Congo Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Attendance: 51,020
Referee: Ibrahim Mutaz (Libya)
10 February 2023 AFCON 3rd South Africa   0–0
(6–5 p)		   DR Congo Abidjan, Ivory Coast
20:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium
Attendance: 21,975
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
Penalties
6 June 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier Senegal   1–1   DR Congo Diamniadio, Senegal
19:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium
Referee: Mutaz Ibrahim (Libya)
9 June 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier DR Congo   1–0   Togo Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Mehrez Malki (Tunisia)
6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) 2025 AFCON qualification DR Congo   1–0   Guinea Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1 Kayembe   27' Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Mohamed Adel (Egypt)
9 September 2024 (2024-09-09) 2025 AFCON qualification Ethiopia   0–2   DR Congo Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
22:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
Referee: Lahlou Benbraham (Algeria)
10 October 2024 (2024-10-10) 2025 AFCON qualification DR Congo   1–0   Tanzania Kinshasa, DR Congo
--:--  Mzize   53' (o.g.) Report Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Hillary Hambaba (Zambia)
15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 AFCON qualification Tanzania   0–2   DR Congo Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Benjamin Mkapa Stadium
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
16 November 2024 (2024-11-16) 2025 AFCON qualification Guinea   1–0   DR Congo Abidjan, Ivory Coast
18:00 UTC±0 Guirassy   90+2' Report Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 AFCON qualification DR Congo   1–2   Ethiopia Kinshasa, DR Congo
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Leonidas Lenine Da Graca (Cape Verde)

2025

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March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier DR Congo   v   South Sudan TBD, DR Congo
March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier Mauritania   v   DR Congo TBD, Mauritania
September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier South Sudan   v   DR Congo TBD, South Sudan
September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier DR Congo   v   Senegal TBD, DR Congo
October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier Togo   v   DR Congo TBD, Togo
October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier DR Congo   v   Sudan TBD, DR Congo

Coaches

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Players

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Current squad

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The following players have been selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Guinea and Ethiopia on 16 and 19 November 2024 respectively.[14]

Caps and goals as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Ethiopia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Lionel Mpasi (1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 (age 30) 16 0   Rodez
1GK Dimitry Bertaud (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 26) 9 0   Montpellier
1GK Timothy Fayulu (1999-07-24) 24 July 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Sion
2DF Chancel Mbemba (captain) (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 90 6   Marseille
2DF Arthur Masuaku (1993-11-07) 7 November 1993 (age 31) 30 3   Beşiktaş
2DF Henoc Inonga Baka (1993-11-01) 1 November 1993 (age 31) 22 0   AS FAR
2DF Gédéon Kalulu (1997-08-29) 29 August 1997 (age 27) 19 0   Lorient
2DF Joris Kayembe (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 11 0   Genk
2DF Dylan Batubinsika (1996-02-15) 15 February 1996 (age 28) 9 1   Saint-Étienne
2DF Rocky Bushiri (1999-11-30) 30 November 1999 (age 24) 2 0   Hibernian
2DF Peter Kioso (1999-08-15) 15 August 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Oxford United
3MF Meschak Elia (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 27) 52 11   Young Boys
3MF Samuel Moutoussamy (1996-08-12) 12 August 1996 (age 28) 42 0   Sivasspor
3MF Théo Bongonda (1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 (age 29) 25 4   Spartak Moscow
3MF Edo Kayembe (1998-08-03) 3 August 1998 (age 26) 26 2   Watford
3MF Charles Pickel (1997-05-15) 15 May 1997 (age 27) 19 0   Cremonese
3MF Silas Katompa Mvumpa (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) 17 1   Red Star Belgrade
3MF William Balikwisha (1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 25) 6 0   OH Leuven
3MF Noah Sadiki (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 (age 19) 6 0   Union Saint-Gilloise
3MF Nathanaël Mbuku (2002-03-16) 16 March 2002 (age 22) 3 0   Dinamo Zagreb
3MF Ngal'ayel Mukau (2004-11-03) 3 November 2004 (age 20) 2 0   Lille
3MF Oscar Kabwit (2005-05-05) 5 May 2005 (age 19) 1 0   Mazembe
4FW Fiston Mayele (1994-06-24) 24 June 1994 (age 30) 21 4   Pyramids
4FW Simon Banza (1996-08-13) 13 August 1996 (age 28) 10 0   Braga
4FW Samuel Essende (1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 26) 6 0   FC Augsburg

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up for DR Congo in the last twelve months and are still eligible to represent.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Brudel Efonge (1999-05-29) 29 May 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Maniema v.   Tanzania, 15 October 2024
GK Esdras Kabamba (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Bravos do Maquis v.   Togo, 9 June 2024
GK Baggio Siadi (1997-07-21) 21 July 1997 (age 27) 4 0   Mazembe 2023 AFCON
DF Axel Tuanzebe (1997-11-14) 14 November 1997 (age 27) 3 0   Ipswich Town v.   Tanzania, 10 October 2024 PRE
DF Brian Bayeye (2000-06-30) 30 June 2000 (age 24) 3 0   Torino 2023 AFCON
DF Ngonda Muzinga (1994-12-31) 31 December 1994 (age 29) 24 0   Riga 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Merveille Bokadi (1996-05-21) 21 May 1996 (age 28) 22 1   Standard Liège 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Dieumerci Amale (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26) 18 0   Difaâ El Jadidi 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Jordan Ikoko (1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 (age 30) 9 0   Pafos 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Vital N'Simba (1993-07-08) 8 July 1993 (age 31) 2 0   Bordeaux 2023 AFCON PRE
DF Arsène Zola (1996-02-23) 23 February 1996 (age 28) 1 0   Wydad Casablanca 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Gaël Kakuta (1991-06-21) 21 June 1991 (age 33) 27 3   Esteghlal v.   Guinea, 16 November 2024 PRE
MF Chadrac Akolo (1995-04-01) 1 April 1995 (age 29) 26 2   St. Gallen v.   Tanzania, 10 October 2024 PRE
MF Aaron Tshibola (1995-01-25) 25 January 1995 (age 29) 14 1   Hatta v.   Togo, 9 June 2024
MF Grady Diangana (1998-04-19) 19 April 1998 (age 26) 5 0   West Bromwich Albion v.   Togo, 9 June 2024
MF Omenuke Mfulu (1994-03-20) 20 March 1994 (age 30) 7 0   Las Palmas 2023 AFCON
MF Neeskens Kebano (1992-03-10) 10 March 1992 (age 32) 35 6   Al Jazira 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Makabi Lilepo (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997 (age 27) 7 0   Valenciennes 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (1994-03-22) 22 March 1994 (age 30) 3 0   Luton Town 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Arnaud Lusamba (1997-01-04) 4 January 1997 (age 27) 2 0   Pendikspor 2023 AFCON PRE
MF Jonathan Okita (1996-10-05) 5 October 1996 (age 28) 2 0   Zürich 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Yoane Wissa (1996-09-03) 3 September 1996 (age 28) 28 5   Brentford v.   Guinea, 16 November 2024 PRE
FW Cédric Bakambu (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 (age 33) 54 16   Real Betis 2023 AFCON
FW Jonathan Bolingi (1994-06-30) 30 June 1994 (age 30) 34 9   Vojvodina 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Ben Malango (1993-11-10) 10 November 1993 (age 31) 21 6   Qatar SC 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Jackson Muleka (1999-10-04) 4 October 1999 (age 25) 14 1   Beşiktaş 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Aldo Kalulu (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 28) 5 0   Partizan 2023 AFCON PRE
FW Gaëtan Laura (1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 (age 29) 0 0   Samsunspor 2023 AFCON PRE

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player has retired from international football.
SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records

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As of 15 October 2024[15]
Players in bold are still active with DR Congo.

Most appearances

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Chancel Mbemba is DR Congo's most capped player with 89 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Chancel Mbemba 89 6 2012–present
2 Issama Mpeko 81 2 2011–2023
3 Robert Kidiaba 64 0 2002–2015
4 Cédric Bakambu 54 16 2015–present
5 Zola Matumona 53 9 2002–2014
Trésor Mputu 53 14 2004–2021
7 Joël Kimwaki 52 3 2009–2016
8 Yannick Bolasie 50 9 2013–2022
Marcel Mbayo 50 4 1996–2011
Meschak Elia 50 11 2016–present

Top goalscorers

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Dieumerci Mbokani is DR Congo's top scorer with 22 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Dieumerci Mbokani 22 49 0.45 2005–2022
2 Cédric Bakambu 16 54 0.3 2015–present
3 Shabani Nonda 14 22 0.64 2000–2008
Trésor Mputu 14 53 0.26 2004–2021
5 Jean-Jacques Yemweni 12 16 0.75 2000–2007
6 Ngoy Kabongo 11 22 0.5 1981–1991
Meschak Elia 11 50 0.22 2016–present
8 Ndaye Mulamba 10 20 0.5 1973–1976
9 Kakoko Etepé 9 31 0.29 1970–1976
Dioko Kaluyituka 9 31 0.29 2004–2013
Jonathan Bolingi 9 34 0.26 2014–2022
Ndombe Mubele 9 45 0.2 2013–2018
Yannick Bolasie 9 50 0.18 2013–2022
Zola Matumona 9 53 0.17 2002–2014

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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See also: DR Congo at the FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
as   Congo and   Congo-Léopoldville as   Congo and   Congo-Léopoldville
1930 to 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
as   Congo-Kinshasa as   Congo-Kinshasa
  1966 Did not enter Did not enter
as   Zaire as   Zaire
  1970 Entry not accepted by FIFA Entry not accepted by FIFA
  1974 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 14 11 8 1 2 20 4
  1978 Withdrew Withdrew
  1982 Did not qualify 4 2 1 1 6 9
  1986 Banned Banned
  1990 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 7 7
  1994 3 0 1 2 1 3
  1998 8 2 2 4 11 10
as       DR Congo as       DR Congo
    2002 Did not qualify 10 4 2 4 17 18
  2006 10 4 4 2 14 10
  2010 6 3 0 3 14 6
  2014 8 3 3 2 11 5
  2018 8 6 1 1 20 9
  2022 8 3 3 2 11 8
      2026 To be determined 4 2 1 1 4 2
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total Group stage 1/15 3 0 0 3 0 14 86 39 21 26 136 91

Africa Cup of Nations

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Main article: DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1957 Part of Belgium Part of Belgium
  1959
  1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
  1963
Played as   Congo-Léopoldville Played as   Congo-Léopoldville
  1965 Group stage 5th 2 0 0 2 2 8 6 2 0 2 8 8
Played as   Congo-Kinshasa Played as   Congo-Kinshasa
  1968 Champions 1st 5 4 0 1 10 2 5 3 0 1 7 4
  1970 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 5 Qualified as defending champions
Played as   Zaire Played as   Zaire
  1972 Fourth place 4th 5 1 2 2 9 11 4 4 0 0 9 3
  1974 Champions 1st 6 4 1 1 14 8 4 3 0 1 12 3
  1976 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 3 6 Qualified as defending champions
  1978 Did not enter Did not enter
  1980 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 10 10
  1982 4 2 0 2 8 9
  1984 Withdrew Withdrew
  1986 Did not qualify 8 4 2 1 8 4
  1988 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 2 3 4 1 3 0 3 1
  1990 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 2
  1992 Quarter-finals 6th 3 0 2 1 2 3 6 3 1 2 6 4
  1994 Quarter-finals 7th 3 1 1 1 2 3 6 3 2 1 13 3
  1996 Quarter-finals 8th 3 1 0 2 2 3 6 3 1 2 10 5
Played as   /   /   DR Congo Played as   /   /   DR Congo
  1998 Third place 3rd 6 3 1 2 10 9 6 2 3 1 6 5
    2000 Group stage 12th 3 0 2 1 0 1 6 3 1 2 7 6
  2002 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 1 2 3 4 8 3 3 2 13 10
  2004 Group stage 15th 3 0 0 3 1 6 6 3 2 1 9 5
  2006 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 6 10 4 4 2 14 10
  2008 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 14 10
  2010 6 3 0 3 14 6
    2012 6 2 3 1 11 10
  2013 Group stage 10th 3 0 3 0 3 3 4 4 0 0 12 5
  2015 Third place 3rd 6 1 4 1 7 7 6 3 0 3 10 9
  2017 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 1 1 7 5 6 5 0 1 16 6
  2019 Round of 16 14th 4 1 1 2 6 6 6 2 3 1 8 6
  2021 Did not qualify 6 2 3 1 4 5
  2023 Fourth place 4th 7 1 5 1 6 5 6 4 0 2 11 4
  2025 Qualified 4 4 0 0 6 0
      2027 To be determined To be determined
  2029
Total 2 Titles 20/34 80 21 29 30 94 104 147 74 34 36 243 153

African Nations Championship

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African Nations Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  2009 Final Winners 5 3 1 1 7 5 4 3 0 1 7 2
  2011 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 1 2 3 5 2 1 1 0 3 2
  2014 Quarter-finals 7th 4 2 0 2 3 3 2 1 1 0 2 2
  2016 Final Winners 6 4 1 1 14 7 DR Congo qualified by walkover.
  2018 Did not qualify 2 0 2 0 1 1
  2020 Quarter-finals 4 2 1 1 5 4 2 2 0 0 6 1
  2022 Group stage 3 0 2 1 0 3 2 2 0 0 7 1
Total 2 titles 5/6 23 12 4 7 32 24 12 7 4 1 19 8

African Games

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See also: DR Congo national under-23 football team and DR Congo national under-20 football team
African Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
  1965 5th 5 3 1 1 20 8
1973-1987 Did not enter
Total 1/4 5 3 1 1 20 8

Head-to-head record

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Including the record of   Ethiopia. Updated as for 19 November 2024.

Opponent P W D L GF GA W% L%
  Algeria 7 0 4 3 4 10 0 42.86
  Angola 17 8 5 4 22 13 47.06 23.53
  Bahrain 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 100
  Benin 4 3 1 0 10 4 75 0
  Botswana 5 2 3 0 4 0 40 0
  Brazil 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 100
  Burkina Faso[note 1] 13 5 2 6 23 21 38.46 46.15
  Burundi 4 4 0 0 9 3 100 0
  Cameroon 36 11 7 18 32 46 30.56 50
  Cape Verde 3 1 2 0 3 2 33.33 0
  Central African Republic 7 5 1 1 18 5 71.43 14.29
  Chad 1 1 0 0 4 0 100 0
  Congo 38 18 12 8 66 38 47.37 21.05
  Djibouti 4 3 1 0 21 3 75 0
  Egypt 14 1 5 8 15 27 7.14 57.14
  Equatorial Guinea 3 1 1 1 5 2 33.33 33.33
  Eswatini 7 3 1 3 11 6 62.5 12.5
  Ethiopia 8 6 0 2 14 6 75 25
  Gabon 19 6 8 5 16 16 31.58 26.32
  Gambia 3 1 1 1 3 5 33.33 33.33
  Ghana 24 5 6 13 23 40 20.83 54.17
  Guinea 15 6 2 5 15 11 40 33.33
  Iraq 2 0 0 2 1 3 0 100
  Ivory Coast 20 5 6 9 27 34 25 45
  Kenya 12 6 2 4 16 13 50 33.33
  Lesotho 7 3 4 0 17 4 42.86 0
  Liberia 9 4 2 3 15 10 44.44 33.33
  Libya 12 5 5 2 19 11 41.67 16.67
  Madagascar 14 7 3 4 27 15 50 28.57
  Malawi 7 4 2 1 9 6 57.14 14.29
  Mali 11 2 4 5 14 18 18.18 45.45
  Mauritania 5 5 0 0 15 1 100 0
  Mauritius 5 5 0 0 16 3 100 0
  Mexico 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 100
  Morocco 17 3 9 5 14 20 17.65 29.41
  Mozambique 7 5 2 0 15 7 71.43 0
  Namibia 3 1 1 1 4 7 33.33 33.33
  New Zealand 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
  Niger 3 1 1 1 3 3 33.33 33.33
  Nigeria 10 4 1 5 16 16 40 50
  North Korea 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
  Oman 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0
  Qatar 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0
  Romania 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 0
  Rwanda 5 2 0 3 10 7 40 60
  Saudi Arabia 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 100
  Scotland 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 100
  Senegal 13 3 4 6 13 18 23.08 46.15
  Seychelles 2 2 0 0 7 0 100 0
  Sierra Leone 3 3 0 0 8 1 100 0
  South Africa 9 1 2 6 5 10 11.11 66.67
  Sudan 12 7 2 3 20 11 58.33 25
  Tanzania 18 7 8 3 17 11 38.89 16.67
  Togo 17 13 3 1 41 11 76.47 5.88
  Tunisia 20 5 4 11 17 27 25 55
  Uganda 16 9 2 5 29 10 56.25 31.25
  Yugoslavia 1 0 0 1 0 9 0 100
  Zambia 27 8 12 7 43 35 30.77 26.92
  Zimbabwe 8 3 2 3 17 10 37.5 37.5
  1. ^ Includes the results of   Upper Volta.

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Summary

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Senior Competitions       Total
CAF African Cup of Nations 2 0 2 4
CAF African Nations Championship 2 0 0 2
Total 4 0 2 6

References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  3. ^ "BBC SPORT | WORLD CUP | History | 1974: Zaire's show of shame". BBC News. 22 May 2002. Archived from the original on 20 September 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  4. ^ "FIFA". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  5. ^ Courtney, Barrie (14 June 2007). "DR Congo (Zaire, Congo-Kinshasa) – List of International matches". FRSSF. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Leopards roar to Germany 1974". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  7. ^ "More than a game? Mobutu, Sport and Zairian Identity, 1965-1974" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  8. ^ "Explore". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  9. ^ "BBC Sport – Football – Zaire free-kick farce explained". BBC News. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  10. ^ "The Joy of Six: Symbolic reducers, including Roy Keane, Norman Whiteside and Benjamin Massing | Football". London: theguardian.com. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  11. ^ "Football Team Nicknames". topendsports.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  12. ^ "Egypt vs DR Congo match Report". Global Sports Archive. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  13. ^ "DR Congo vs Guinea match Report". Global Sports Archive. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  14. ^ "RDC : Élim/CAN 2025: Une dernière liste des 26 joueurs pour clôturer en beauté avec le retour de Ngal'ayel Mukau" (in French). 30 October 2024.
  15. ^ Roberto Mamrud. "Congo-Kinshasa – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
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