The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo have spent more than five decades watching World Cups unfold on television from afar. This summer, however, the Central African nation will finally be part of the spectacle, having secured a place in North America for the first time since 1974.
To put this achievement into perspective, none of the current squad members were born back then. Neither was manager Sebastien Desabre, who took charge in 2022 and now enjoys the freedom of the democratic republic, regardless of what happens this summer.
Nicknamed 'The Florist', Desabre has brought Congo into bloom at just the right moment. He has rebuilt the squad with a more European influence, increasing the team's competitiveness. However, the road to this World Cup has not been without its potholes. Beyond the backdrop of a violent civil conflict continuing to rage throughout Congo, an outbreak of Ebola has added to the team's problems. It is directly impacting their preparations, with Spanish authorities calling off a friendly between Congo and Chile scheduled to take place in Cadiz.
From Despair to Optimism, to Concern
Congo's only previous World Cup appearance, when the nation was known as Zaire, ended in humiliation. The Leopards lost all three group games and finished bottom of their group. What followed was more than five decades of pain and despair.
That was until master tactician Desabre arrived to change the team's approach, personnel, and subsequent fortunes on the international stage. Congo somehow navigated a difficult qualification process, securing their place at the finals via the FIFA Inter-Confederation play-offs. Desabre's men defeated Jamaica, a result that cost former England boss Steve McClaren his job. Reaching this stage had seen Congo finish second in their CAF group, eliminating more illustrious neighbours Cameroon and Nigeria in the process.
Desabre has made it clear his team can make a significant impression at this tournament. They are not heading to North America to make up the numbers. But when he said this, little did Desabre know that his preparations would be thrown into total turmoil for reasons he never envisaged.
Ebola Outbreak Disrupts Plans
An outbreak of the Ebola virus in the east of Congo forced the team to cancel its pre-World Cup training camp in the capital, Kinshasa. The squad travelled to Belgium instead, after seeing the virus kill almost 200 people. The World Health Organization (WHO) called the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern" but said it was not at pandemic level. Even so, these are not circumstances that the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti have had to deal with.
'Stop Ronaldo' - Congo's First Challenge
There will be no easing into the tournament for Congo. Their first match in Group K is against one of the tournament favourites, Portugal. Uzbekistan and Colombia complete the group, but the prospect of facing Cristiano Ronaldo is what Desabre and his men are relishing the most. No one will be more eager to test himself against one of the world's most iconic stars than Congo captain Chancel Mbemba.
Mbemba is no stranger to English football, having spent three years at Newcastle United. The Lille defender has earned iconic status in Congolese football, winning more than 100 caps. The team revolves around this leader and legend, who has become Desabre's right-hand man and is at the heart of everything, from planning to team selection. If he can somehow stop Ronaldo from making a winning start, his status will be elevated to unprecedented levels.
Who Will Congo Need to Shine?
Congo have traditionally had a reputation for liking to party. In the past, the Congolese focused on bringing expression, colour, and joy to football. But not on Desabre's watch. The French coach has focused on defensive organisation and discipline since taking the reins. It has won them no neutral supporters whatsoever, but it has got them to a World Cup. Desabre's team is miserable to watch but hard to beat.
The defensive duo of Mbemba and Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe is the centre-back pairing around which Congo's side is built. Tuanzebe's former Manchester United teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who switched allegiances from England to Congo along with Tuanzebe, is also pivotal at right-back. Sunderland's Noah Sadiki has become the midfield general, while Desabre relies on another Premier League star to score the goals.
Yoane Wissa cost Newcastle United £55 million last summer but has gone on to score just three times for Eddie Howe's men in a season blighted by injury. Imagine the frustration on Tyneside should Wissa go on to light up this World Cup.
