The suspense is over regarding the names of the Leopards who will compete in the 2026 World Cup. The 26 lucky winners were revealed on Monday by coach Sébastien Desabre via a video posted on FECOFA digital platforms. The French technician remained faithful to his principles: no new name appears on the list.
Better still, the former coach of Chamois Niortais has also reappointed the same group as at the last AFCON in Morocco, with two exceptions: the presence of Yoane Wissa and Steve Kapuadi, as well as the absence of Samuel Essende. All the players on this list have participated in the DRC’s qualification for the World Cup, a return to the competition 52 years after the 1974 edition.
Absences that cause debate among the audience
The list published by Sébastien Desabre is not unanimous among the Congolese public. Several Leopards supporters are disappointed not to see new names, yet very mentioned recently on social media. Many of them dreamed of seeing Senny Mayulu with the Leopards, especially after his non-selection in the French team, forgetting that he did not openly express his willingness to play for the DRC. Afimico Pululu is the other player who was expected after the progress of his administrative file. There is also Jordy Mokio, who was hoped for by the Congolese after expressing the desire to play for the DRC.
The Congolese public will have to make do with the players who have been called up; new players will join after the World Cup, Sébastien Desabre said.
“We can’t bring everyone. The World Cup isn’t the time to experiment. New players will join after the World Cup, which will make the selection even more difficult,”
he said.
Sébastien Desabre will be able to better explain his selections on May 25 during a press conference he will hold in Kinshasa, one day before the Leopards’ first training session at Tata Raphaël Stadium, which will be open to the public. Afterward, the players and members of the technical staff are expected to be honored by the head of state, who will also present them with the national flag before their departure for Europe. There, they will fine-tune their preparations with two friendly matches: against Denmark on June 3 in Liège, and against Chile on June 9 in Marbella. Finally, they will fly to the United States on June 10, where they will face Portugal on June 17.
The 26-Man Roster for the Leopards at the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi, Timothy Fayulu, Mathieu Epolo
Defenders: Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Dylan Batubinsika, Rocky Bushiri, Steve Kapuadi, Gedeon Kalulu, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku
Midfielders: Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, Noah Sadiki, Ngal’Ayel Mukau, Edo Kayembe, Nathanaël Mbuku, Gael Kakuta
Forwards: Théo Bongonda, Meschack Elia, Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu, Simon Banza, Fiston Mayele
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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Philemon MBALE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.