Head coach of DR Congo Sébastien Desabre has declared that his outfit will approach their decisive playoff in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a fearless “do or die” mentality as they stand on the brink of making history.
Speaking in an interview with FIFA’s official website on Sunday, the French tactician emphasized that his players are fully aware of the magnitude of the moment as they prepare for a crucial playoff match in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 31.
For the Leopards, the encounter represents far more than just another gameâit is an opportunity to end a 52-year wait and return to football’s biggest stage. DR Congo’s only appearance at the World Cup came in 1974, when the nation competed under the name Zaire national football team during the 1974 FIFA World Cup. That campaign ended in disappointment as the African representatives were eliminated in the group stage without scoring a single goal.
More than five decades later, Desabre now has the chance to guide the nation to its second-ever World Cup appearance, a feat that would mark a defining moment in the country’s football history.
To achieve that dream, however, the Congolese side must overcome one final obstacle, a high-stakes playoff clash against the winner of the tie between Jamaica national football team and New Caledonia national football team.
Before travelling to Mexico for a preparation camp, which will include a friendly match against Bermuda national football team on March 25, Desabre expressed confidence that his team is physically and mentally ready for the challenge ahead.
“We are extremely motivated and remain on track to achieve our main objective, which we set for ourselves three and a half years ago,” Desabre said. “This final will be our 13th match since the start of the qualifiers. It has been a long road, and we have worked hard at every stage.”
The coach highlighted that the foundation of DR Congo’s impressive campaign has been their defensive discipline. The team has conceded just one goal in their last four qualifying matches, a testament to their organization and tactical cohesion.
However, Desabre also pointed out that the team has recently shown improvement in attack, making them more balanced heading into the decisive stage of the competition.
“We are fortunate to have talented players who play for top clubs,” he said. “More importantly, everyone believes in the project we are building together. The players share a strong bond on and off the pitch, and we play as a unit. The attackers defend and the defenders attack. Everyone fights like soldiers in a battle for their country.”
When asked which opponent he would prefer between Jamaica and New Caledonia, the French coach made it clear that his team fears no one.
“We fear no one, and we will give it our all,” Desabre said confidently. “We need to at least replicate the performance we gave against Nigeria.”
His reference was to DR Congo’s dramatic victory over the Nigeria national football team, a tense encounter that ended 4â3 on penalties and demonstrated the Leopards’ resilience under pressure.
Desabre also revealed that his staff has carefully analyzed both Jamaica and New Caledonia, noting that they will observe the two teams when they face each other in Mexico on March 26. Nevertheless, he insisted that his primary focus remains on ensuring his own squad performs at its best.
Beyond the tactical preparation, the coach acknowledged the emotional weight of the occasion for millions of Congolese supporters.
“Congolese people love football, and some are going through difficult times,” he said. “I know the entire nation will come to a standstill on March 31 to watch the match. We hope to give the fans the joy they deserve.”
He added that the team must stay calm despite the excitement surrounding the match.
“We are 90 minutes away from our dream, but we must remain realistic and focused on the pitch, leaving emotions aside.”
Desabre noted that qualifying for the World Cup would be a reward for the immense effort invested by both players and coaching staff over the past few yearsâparticularly since he took charge during a challenging period for the national team.
The experienced coach has built his reputation across multiple footballing environments, having previously worked with clubs and national teams in France, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt. With such a diverse background, he believes that reaching the World Cup would represent a natural milestone in his coaching journey.
Reflecting on his personal connection to the tournament, Desabre recalled watching some of football’s most memorable World Cup moments while growing up.
He specifically mentioned the triumph of France national football team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, an unforgettable moment he experienced as a 22-year-old. He also reminisced about the iconic clash between France and Brazil national football team at the 1986 FIFA World Cupâa match played in the very same city, Guadalajara, where his team will now contest their decisive playoff.
For Desabre and the Leopards, the upcoming match represents an opportunity not only to qualify for the World Cup but also to write a new and inspiring chapter in the football history of DR Congo.
And with just 90 minutes standing between them and their dream, the message from their coach is clear: this is a battle they must win.