Expert opinion: What adjustments for DR Congo ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoffs? | OneFootball

With just one game standing between them and World Cup qualification, the situation is especially delicate. If issues arise within the squad or the tactical setup, it’s extremely difficult for any coach in the world to find solutions just days or weeks before such a crucial encounter. The pressure is immense, as an entire nation is behind the team, with just one expectation: qualification.The players themselves are fully aware of what’s at stake. The Democratic Republic of Congo hasn’t appeared at a football World Cup in over fifty years. The opportunity before them today is truly exceptional, even if some aspects of their play are not yet working perfectly.Since the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a major issue has surfaced: attacking play. DR Congo’s offense is still struggling to find its rhythm. During that AFCON, the team didn’t score many goals, especially against the top nations. Against Senegal, the attack found it very difficult to pose any real threat. Versus Algeria—who ultimately knocked Congo out—the same problems persisted.Of course, DR Congo netted three goals against Botswana, a weaker side, which was to be expected. But against stronger opponents, the team’s attacking struggles are evident. Even against mid-level teams like Benin, the Congolese only managed to score once. This lack of attacking efficiency remains a costly problem for the squad.This situation is also explained by the current form of several forwards. Many are not performing at their peak for their clubs. Théo Bongonda, for example, has only played a few minutes since returning to his club after AFCON, without any real run of games. Meshack Elia, for his part, is still struggling to regain his sharpness and hasn’t delivered what’s expected of him on the pitch.Fiston Mayele’s case has also raised concerns. The striker had been silent since November 2025 before recently finding the net with Pyramids. Simon Banza is gradually regaining his form, which is somewhat reassuring, even if he’s not yet at 100%.At the moment, the only Congolese striker who truly seems confident is Cédric Bakambu. With Real Betis, he’s put in some strong performances over his last three or four games and even scored twice. That’s a positive sign for the national team. However, when a team can only rely on one in-form striker, it becomes difficult to expect great things in attack.Despite everything, for this playoff, it’s clear that all the players are aware of the magnitude of the moment. They know just how decisive these matches are. Even though attacking play remains the main issue for DR Congo, the team still has plenty of strengths.Tactically, the Congolese side remains solid. It’s a disciplined team that generally follows the manager’s instructions. On the pitch, the players are well organized—whether in defense, midfield, or build-up play. The real issue comes in the attacking phase, where the team still struggles to be effective.Otherwise, there’s little to criticize. DR Congo concedes very few goals, even if they don’t score many either. This shows that their defensive balance is well-established. So, improving the attacking setup remains the main task for the coach.There is, however, a glimmer of hope. The return of Yoane Wissa to the squad is good news for the team. Even if he’s not at his best at club level, his talent and experience can give a boost to the Congolese attack. Add to that the return of Gaël Diangana, another interesting option to strengthen their offensive firepower.These returns bring new energy to the squad, reminding everyone that DR Congo has talented players capable of making a difference. Every match is unique, and for this crucial clash, every player will arrive with a single goal: secure qualification for the World Cup.In these kinds of showdowns, qualification often comes down to a win. And to win, you have to score. The players know that perfectly well and will have to be clinical in front of goal. Their mission: give everything to deliver qualification to the Congolese people and shine the spotlight on DR Congo football on the world stage.

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