DR Congo Beat Jamaica 1-0 to Reach 2026 World Cup

The DR Congo national football team have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Jamaica national football team in an intercontinental playoff.

The decisive encounter, played in Mexico, remained goalless after 90 minutes before defender Axel Tuanzebe emerged as the hero, scoring in extra time to seal a historic win.

The goal, which came in the 100th minute, confirmed DR Congo’s return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country competed as Zaire.

Despite dominating large spells of the match, the Congolese side struggled to break down Jamaica’s resilient defence during regulation time, forcing the contest into extra time before finally finding the breakthrough.

The victory marks a historic milestone for the Central African nation, ending a 52-year absence from football’s biggest tournament and securing one of the final spots in the expanded 48-team competition.

DR Congo will now compete in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, as they prepare for their long-awaited return to the global stage.