DR Congo Snatch Late Win Over Jamaica to Book World Cup Return

DR Congo Snatch Late Win Over Jamaica to Book World Cup Return

The Democratic Republic of Congo have secured a place at the expanded FIFA World Cup after edging Jamaica 1–0 in extra time in a tense intercontinental playoff clash in Guadalajara, Mexico.

A 100th-minute strike by defender Axel Tuanzebe proved decisive, as the Burnley player capitalised on a defensive mix-up from a corner to slot home the winner and seal qualification.

The victory over Jamaica national football team at the Estadio Akron confirmed DR Congo as the 47th team to qualify for the global tournament, marking a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.

It will be the Central African nation’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.

DR Congo have been drawn in a challenging Group K alongside Colombia national football team, Portugal national football team and Uzbekistan national football team.

Team captain Chancel Mbemba welcomed the achievement but urged his teammates to remain grounded ahead of the competition.

“We’re going to enjoy the qualification, but we’ll keep working. We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years,” he said. “We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. We’ll give everything to make our supporters proud.”

Jamaica, also known as the Reggae Boyz, were left disappointed after missing out on what would have been only their second World Cup appearance, having first qualified in 1998.

The match had remained goalless in regulation time, with DR Congo seeing efforts from Nathanaël Mbuku and Samuel Moutoussamy ruled out for offside before Tuanzebe’s late intervention settled the contest.

Attention now shifts to the final qualification slot, to be decided between the Bolivia national football team and the Iraq national football team, with the winner set to join Group I alongside France national football team, Norway national football team and Senegal national football team.