Congo DR at the World Cup 2026: Squad, Fixtures, Odds and Best SA Sportsbook
Congo DR arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the CAF representatives in Group K. Coach S. Desabre has settled the team into a clear shape for the tournament. This page is the full guide for South African bettors and fans following Congo DR across the group stage and beyond.
Congo DR at the World Cup 2026
Group K · FIFA World Cup 2026
Portugal
Colombia
Uzbekistan
How Congo DR qualified
Congo DR qualified second from CAF Group B, beaten only by Senegal across the campaign.
The qualification campaign tested both depth and discipline. S. Desabre used the long run of group games to bed in a settled XI and to rotate younger players through the squad. The core that will travel to North America in 2026 has played together for a full cycle.
Form heading into the World Cup matters. Congo DR have used the friendlies in March and June 2026 to fine-tune the back four and to test set-piece routines. The kick-off in Group K is the moment the work in the build-up pays out or does not.
Group K breakdown
Group K delivers a mix of styles, regions, and pedigrees. The top two go through automatically. The third-placed team has a real shot under the new 48-team format, where the eight best third-placed sides across the 12 groups advance to a new Round of 32.
The three Congo DR group matches:
| Date (SAST) | Match | Venue | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 17/06, 19:00 SAST |  Portugalv Congo DR | NRG Stadium | Group Stage – 1 |
| Wed 24/06, 04:00 SAST |  ColombiavCongo DR | Estadio Akron | Group Stage – 2 |
| Sun 28/06, 01:30 SAST | Congo DRv Uzbekistan | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Group Stage – 3 |
Group K rivals to scout: Portugal · Uzbekistan · Colombia.
The opening matchday sets the tone. A win on day one shapes the group, a loss raises the pressure on the second game, and a draw keeps every door open. The seven-day rhythm between matches favours the deeper squads.
The squad: who to watch
S. Desabre named a settled squad with strong continuity from the qualifying campaign. The starting XI is largely locked in, with three or four positions still open for late competition.
C. Bakambu (#17, age 34) is a frontline option for the Congo DR attack and a regular starter under S. Desabre.
S. Banza (#23, age 29) is a frontline option for the Congo DR attack and a regular starter under S. Desabre.
T. Bongonda (#10, age 30) is a frontline option for the Congo DR attack and a regular starter under S. Desabre.
The bench depth is where many groups are decided. A 60th-minute change can be the difference between three points and one. Congo DR need fresh legs in midfield more than anywhere else, with the heat in Mexico and the south-western United States a factor in every late-stage substitution.
How Congo DR play under S. Desabre
Sebastien Desabre plays a counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 with Cedric Bakambu leading the line and Yoane Wissa on the wing.
Pressing triggers, set-piece variety, and transition speed are the three areas a tournament team has to get right. Congo DR have drilled all three across the qualifying campaign and the recent friendlies. The squad knows the patterns. The question is execution against opponents at the highest level.
Strengths: organisation in the defensive third, a clear chain of command in midfield, and named leaders on set pieces. Weaknesses: chance creation in open play when the press is beaten, and fitness through 90 minutes of a tournament knockout. Both are normal tournament issues and not unique to Congo DR.
Congo DR’s World Cup record
Congo DR (then Zaire) made their only previous World Cup appearance at West Germany 1974, losing all three group games.
The 48-team format opens new routes. A side with one win and one draw across three group games has a fair chance of qualifying as a third-placed team. That is the floor most observers see for Congo DR. The ceiling depends on the draw in the Round of 32 and on the goalkeeper having a good tournament.
Betting on Congo DR from South Africa
Congo DR to qualify from Group K is around 3.00. Bakambu anytime tournament scorer is value-led.
- Congo DR to qualify from Group K. The headline pre-tournament market. Worth checking on at least two SA books before placing, since the price band is wide.
- Congo DR v their second match opponent, draw or win double. The mid-tournament market that often delivers value once the opening matchday clarifies the group.
- Anytime tournament scorer specials. Each of the named attackers above is in the market across SA books, with the keenest pricing usually on Gbets and YesPlay.
- Goalscorer or to receive a card specials. The match-ups within Group K create unusual props that the bigger global books often miss. Watch the specials boards on Pokerbet on matchday.
For South African pricing on Congo DR, our covered partners are YesPlay, Pokerbet, Betshezi, Gbets, and Cloudbet. All five hold valid South African licences. Compare prices across two or three before placing, and never stake more than your set deposit limit.
How to watch Congo DR in South Africa
SuperSport on DStv carries every 2026 World Cup match in South Africa. SABC will broadcast a select run of matches on free-to-air, with the Bafana games confirmed and a handful of additional fixtures expected closer to kick-off.
Kick-off times in SAST vary across the Congo DR group games. Check the fixtures table above for the exact SAST kick-off and the venue. The Mexico-based matches kick off at one of three local time slots that map to either prime-time or middle-of-the-night SAST viewing.
Streaming via DStv Stream and DStv Now is included with a current subscription, with mobile viewing supported. No extra fee is required for current DStv Premium and Compact Plus subscribers.
FAQ: Congo DR at the 2026 World Cup
When does Congo DR play their first match?
Congo DR’s opening Group K match is on Wed 17/06, 19:00 SAST against Portugal. The match is at NRG Stadium.
Who is Congo DR’s manager for the 2026 World Cup?
S. Desabre is in charge of Congo DR for the 2026 World Cup. The full squad is built around sebastien desabre a setup of a counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 with cedric bakambu leading the line and yoane wissa on the wing.
How did Congo DR qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Congo DR qualified second from CAF Group B, beaten only by Senegal across the campaign.
Where can South Africans bet on Congo DR?
Any sportsbook licensed by a South African provincial gambling board. YesPlay, Gbets, Pokerbet, Betshezi, and Cloudbet all carry full Congo DR markets for the 2026 World Cup.
What is Congo DR’s best ever World Cup result?
Congo DR (then Zaire) made their only previous World Cup appearance at West Germany 1974, losing all three group games.
More on the World Cup
Group K rivals: Portugal · Uzbekistan · Colombia
Other: Back to the World Cup 2026 hub · All football fixtures · SA sportsbook reviews