The Democratic Republic of the Congo have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 52 years after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in an intercontinental play-off final held in Mexico.
The match was decided in extra time, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the winning goal in the 100th minute. Ahead of the game, Tuanzebe had described it as the biggest match of his career, and he delivered when it mattered most, writing his name into Congolese football history.
It was a tense and tightly contested encounter, with both sides struggling to find a breakthrough during normal time. Cédric Bakambu thought he had given DR Congo the lead on two occasions, only for both goals to be ruled out for offside.
The decisive moment came from a corner delivered by Brian Cipenga. The ball deflected off a Jamaican defender before striking Tuanzebe and finding its way into the net. There was a brief pause as officials checked for a potential handball, but after a VAR review, the goal was awarded.
Jamaica, who were aiming to reach the World Cup for only the second time after their appearance in 1998, pushed for an equaliser but were unable to break through.
For DR Congo, this qualification marks a historic return to the global stage. While expectations heading into the tournament remain modest, there is a growing sense of belief around the squad, a shift also reflected in the early World Cup winner odds.
The Congolese side have earned their place the hard way, playing 13 matches since November 2023. After finishing second in their group behind Senegal, they went on to defeat Cameroon and Nigeria in the African play-offs before overcoming Jamaica in the final hurdle.
Now drawn in Group K at the expanded tournament, DR Congo will face Portugal in their opening match, followed by fixtures against Colombia and Uzbekistan.
This achievement not only ends a 52-year wait but also signals a new chapter for football in DR Congo, with momentum and optimism building as they prepare to compete on the world stage.
