Bakambu: Not even born the last time DR Congo in the WC; It's dream come ture

After returning to the World Cup after 52 years with the team defeating Jamaica, Democratic Republic of Congo players Bakambu, Theo Bongonda, Mbemba and other players shared their joy in an official FIFA interview.

Bongonda said: "I haven't slept well for two months, I have been thinking about this game in my head."

Bongonda can finally sleep peacefully after the Democratic Republic of the Congo team won the 2026 World Cup play-off final against Jamaica on March 31. As a constant threat on the right, the FC Spartak Moscow striker constantly wore down the "Reggae Boyz" defense. He was one of the key contributors to the "Leopards" (Democratic Republic of the Congo) qualification for the World Cup . This team is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974. Bongonda said: "This is the most important game of our lives. Now we have one less thing to worry about and can get a good night's sleep."

However, it will be almost impossible to sleep peacefully in Kinshasa tonight, far across the ocean; 1.1 million Congolese will hold grand celebrations to celebrate the team being able to represent them with such dignity.

Bakambu said excitedly: "When we return to Kinshasa, it will be crazy. I can't wait to see all the Congolese people again. I don't think we fully realize all of this yet."

Captain Chancel Mbemba said emotionally: "We put in a lot of effort, made a lot of sacrifices, and experienced a lot of pain. We fought for all the people of Congo and for the whole of Africa to qualify for the World Cup. We are proud of this. Now we can proudly say that we are going to participate in the World Cup."

At the 2026 World Cup in North America, the "Leopards" will be in Group K, with opponents including Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. This makes midfielder Moutoussamy look forward to it: "I have always had this dream, I won't lie. Ever since I started playing football, I dreamed of participating in the World Cup. The day I signed with the Lyon youth academy in 2011, I told my family that the dream was to play in the World Cup. We did it."

Bakambu added: "I have never seen Congo participate in the World Cup. We and the head coach are looking forward to seeing the World Cup. We were not born when Congo last participated in the World Cup. I will enjoy every moment."

Since starting their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Mauritania, after 867 days and 13 games, the "Leopards" can finally look forward to the future with satisfaction. Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi said excitedly: "We have come a long way. Seeing everyone so happy, we know that our struggles have not been in vain."

The Democratic Republic of Congo was placed in Group B in the African qualifiers for this World Cup. They achieved a record of 7 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses in 10 games, ranking second in the group with 22 points and entering the African play-offs.

In the African play-offs, the Democratic Republic of Congo first defeated Cameroon 1-0 in the semi-finals, and then defeated Nigeria in the final penalty shootout, successfully entering the intercontinental play-offs. In the end, they defeated Jamaica in the intercontinental play-offs, becoming the second-to-last team to advance to this World Cup.

This is also the second time in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo team to participate in the World Cup finals. They participated for the first time in 1974, when their country was still called the Republic of Zaire. In that World Cup, they lost all three group matches and were eliminated at the bottom of Group 2.