The Democratic Republic of Congo booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff final, with former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe netting the only goal in the first half of extra time.
The decisive moment came in the 100th minute at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, when Tuanzebe pounced from inside the six-yard box after Jamaica’s defence failed to deal with an in-swinging corner.
The goal was checked for a possible handball by VAR for over a minute before being confirmed, sending the Congolese players and staff into wild celebrations.
The match had been tense, fierce and keenly contested affair, with Congo appearing to have snatched a winner in the 85th minute of normal time, only for the effort to be ruled out as Théo Bongonda was found to be marginally offside in the build-up.
Jamaica’s veteran goalkeeper Andre Blake had also been in fine form, repelling multiple goal-bound efforts from striker Cédric Bakambu, who was DR Congo’s most dangerous attacker, recording the most shots, touches in the box, and chances created on the night.
Adding to the drama, referee Facundo Tello was forced off the field late in extra time after picking up an injury, with the fourth official stepping in to blow the final whistle.
The result marks only the second time DR Congo have qualified for the World Cup, and the first under their current name the nation previously appeared at the 1974 tournament in West Germany as Zaire.
The goal was also Tuanzebe’s first for the international side a fitting first international strike for a player who had represented England at youth level before committing to the Leopards in 2024.
DR Congo will now compete in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, with a historic summer in North America awaiting a nation that has waited more than half a century for this moment.
