DR Congo's World Cup achievements inspire more players to rally behind their mission

The Democratic Republic of Congo's achievement at this year's World Cup has led to the inclusion of several European-born players in their squad, as coach Sebastien Desabre aims to broaden the player pool and build on their last-32 finish at the finals in North America.

Later this month, DR Congo will play their first matches since the World Cup, where they came within 15 minutes of an upset victory over England in Atlanta, as they kick off the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Six new players from European clubs have been added to the squad to compete against Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa on September 24 and Zimbabwe away in Harare four days later.

Former Manchester United center back Willy Kambwala, currently with Italian club Como, has been recognized alongside Ezechiel Banzuzi (Leipzig), Stanis Idumbo (AS Monaco), Jordy Makengo (Freiburg), Noah Mbamba (Lorient), and Kevin Pedro (Saint-Etienne).

Banzuzi (Netherlands), Idumbo and Mbamba (Belgium), along with Pedro (France), have all received caps at the junior level and would require FIFA's permission to change their international eligibility.

None of the four have been approved as of yet, according to FIFA’s Change of Association Platform.

DR Congo has previously included players in the squad without obtaining their consent or a formal change of allegiance.

Recently, Desabre has actively engaged with players across Europe, aiming to encourage those of Congolese heritage to dedicate their international careers to the Leopards.

DR Congo advanced beyond the group stage at the World Cup for the first time during this year's tournament held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Banzuzi took to social media this week to announce his transition to the DR Congo team after representing the Netherlands at the under-21 level, the country of his birth. He took a photo wearing a Congolese shirt.

DR Congo aims to assemble a strong and competitive team.

Desabre intends to utilize friendly matches against Uganda on October 2 and October 5 to further encourage additional players to join, aiming to assemble a strong squad with less than a year remaining before the Cup of Nations finals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda next June.

For the two matches against Uganda, six additional players from European clubs have been called up, including Ajax Amsterdam's young talent Jorthy Mokio, who made his debut for Belgium last year, along with two England under-20 internationals, Paris Maghoma and Stephy Mavididi, both competing in the Championship.

The list includes Anthony Musaba, a former Dutch under-21 international currently with Championship side Norwich City.

Mokio earlier this year expressed his desire to play for the Congolese national team; however, since he participated in the Nations League for Belgium in March 2025, he must wait three years.

Players who are under 21 years of age and have no more than three competitive caps at the senior level are eligible to switch their allegiance; however, they must observe a three-year cooling-off period.

The two matches against Uganda lack competitiveness, creating a gray area for Mokio to start integrating into the team, even though his official debut may only occur in 18 months' time.