Government Declares Public Holiday After DR Congo Qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup
- DR Congo are celebrating their historic World Cup qualification with a public holiday
- Axel Tuanzebe’s extra-time goal secured DRC’s first FIFA World Cup appearance in 52 years
- The Leopards will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K at the 2026 World Cup
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has officially returned to the FIFA World Cup after an astonishing 52-year wait.
The Leopards clinched their spot with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final held in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Source: Getty Images
According to Aljazeera, Axel Tuanzebe scored the winning goal in the 100th minute, sending fans into jubilant celebrations and etching his name into Congolese football history.
The match itself was tense, with both teams vying for a rare spot at football’s biggest stage.
Despite dominating the flow of the game, DR Congo created few clear-cut chances, making Tuanzebe’s decisive strike even more significant.
The victory also marked the end of a grueling 13-match qualification campaign that began in November 2023, where the Leopards navigated a tough group, finishing second behind Senegal, and overcoming Cameroon and Nigeria in the African play-offs.
Government declares public holiday after victory
In recognition of this historic achievement, the DRC government has declared Wednesday, April 1, 2026, a paid public holiday for all citizens.
Source: Getty Images
According to UD Diplomat, the Ministry of Employment and Labour released the announcement, highlighting the importance of celebrating national pride and football success.
“This is a historic moment for the people of DR Congo,” the ministry stated.
“Our citizens deserve to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of our football team, who have returned the nation to the global stage.”
Fans across the country are expected to take to the streets, waving flags and celebrating the Leopards’ long-awaited return to the World Cup.
This marks only the second time DR Congo has qualified for the tournament, the first being in 1974 when it competed as Zaire.
For Jamaica, their opponents in the play-off, this was also a rare opportunity, having only qualified once before, in 1998 in France.
DR Congo to face tough World Cup test
DR Congo, led by French coach Sébastien Desabre, are set to compete in the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Leopards have been drawn into Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, opening their campaign against Portugal in Guadalajara.
For DR Congo, the focus will now shift from celebration to preparation as the Leopards must recover and strategise to make a strong impression on football’s biggest stage.
This historic qualification not only signals DR Congo’s return to global football after 52 years, but also strengthens Africa’s representation at the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 10 teams from the continent.
FIFA sends message to DR Congo
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that FIFA has sent a message to DR Congo after securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
FIFA shared a post on its official World Cup page congratulating the Leopards on their historic feat after beating the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica.
Source: Legit.ng
