The Democratic Republic of Congo sealed a historic return to the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 after Axel Tuanzebe struck in extra time to earn a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in their inter-confederation playoff in Guadalajara, Mexico. The result sends DR Congo to the global finals for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
The decisive moment came in the 100th minute. A dangerous corner caused confusion inside the box, the ball broke kindly for Tuanzebe, and the defender bundled it home from close range. There was a brief VAR check for a possible handball, but the goal stood and DR Congo’s celebrations could begin.
DR Congo had threatened before then and looked the more dangerous side for long spells, but they were repeatedly denied during normal time. Jamaica stayed alive through stubborn defending and a series of important saves, forcing the contest beyond 90 minutes before finally giving way in extra time.
The win ends a 52-year World Cup absence for the Central African side and delivers one of the biggest moments in the country’s football history. It also completes DR Congo’s route into Group K, where they will face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan at the 2026 tournament in North America.
For Jamaica, the defeat brought their qualification push to a painful end, while DR Congo moved within touching distance of a new chapter on the world stage. Their return adds another African voice to an expanded 48-team tournament and gives the competition one of its strongest comeback stories heading into June.
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