World Cup Qualifiers 2026: DRC finetunes preparation in Mexico
Original public source text. It may contain French even on an English source page. This is not a reviewed English translation. Recovered images and media appear below when available.
Image unavailable.
All original articlesThe DRC will play one of the finals of the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 31 in Guadalajara. The Leopards take 9 days of preparation for this big meeting, a long period of unusual preparation that Sébastien Desabre’s men want to use and get their ticket for the World Cup.
The DRC will have a date with history on March 31 by competing in one of the finals of the intercontinental play-offs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Congolese will be looking for a second qualification in their history at the World Cup after 1974. And for this big meeting, the Leopards take more time than usual to get ready.
Indeed, the DRC will have 9 days in Mexico to refine its strategy. An enormous weather that Sébatien Desabre and his men are not used to usually having. The leopards began their gathering from Sunday, March 22 in Guadalajara until March 30 before the match on the 31st against the winner of the semi-final between Jamaica and New Caledonia.
For Romain Kazadi,
"it’s a very good thing for the team to have this long preparation time. It doesn’t happen very often and I think it happens at the right time for the Leopards who are all going to play the biggest match of their lives. It will allow the coach to have more time for consultation with the players and tactical implementation,".
A promising friendly match against Bermuda
The leopards meet in Guadalajara two months after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. And to recreate automatisms before the final on March 31, the Congolese faced Bermuda this Wednesday, March 25 in a friendly match, a match won (2-0).
«This victory bodes very well for the Leopards before this final. The coach kept almost the same team that played the last AFCON, but it was important to have an idea about each player’s current form. In addition, a win always gives confidence, it’s good for the Leopards,"
says sports analyst Richard Kadima.