Scenes of jubilation erupted across Goma and other cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the national team secured a historic return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in more than five decades. The Leopards clinched qualification with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Jamaica in extra time during an intercontinental playoff held in Mexico. The win sealed DR Congo’s place at the 2026 tournament, marking their first appearance since 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.
The result sparked widespread celebrations, particularly in Goma, a city grappling with ongoing insecurity and economic hardship where residents poured into the streets in a rare moment of collective joy and relief. Fans described the achievement as deeply emotional and symbolic. For many, it represents a generational milestone, reconnecting the present with a distant footballing past that only older generations had witnessed.
“This is a historic day,” said one supporter, noting that for decades, Congolese football fans had only heard stories of the country’s last World Cup appearance. “Now we have something to pass on to our children.” DR Congo’s qualification reflects a resurgence in the national team’s performance in recent years, as well as growing investment in football development. The team now joins a record number of African nations heading to the expanded 2026 World Cup, carrying the hopes of a country eager for both sporting success and national unity.
