Veteran midfielder Gaël Kakuta has been recalled to the Democratic Republic of Congo squad for their World Cup return, with head coach Sébastien Desabre unveiling a 25-man roster on Monday after the nation’s first qualification in over 50 years.
Key takeaways
- Gaël Kakuta has earned a place in Congo’s 25-man World Cup squad under Sébastien Desabre’s selection.
- Congo’s World Cup appearance marks their return to the tournament after an absence of half a century.
- Kakuta, who will be 35 during the finals, previously featured only twice for Congo in the past two years.
- The coach kept faith with the group that finished fourth at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and reached the last 16 in Morocco.
- DR Congo have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Recall for Kakuta as Congo prepare for the finals
Kakuta’s return comes as Desabre names his travelling squad for Congo’s World Cup campaign in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The midfielder will turn 35 during the tournament.
Over the last two years, Kakuta has appeared for the national team only twice. He was also brought in as an injury replacement for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the beginning of the year.
However, he was not included in the squad in March. That omission followed Congo’s breakthrough in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, becoming the 10th team from Africa to secure a place in the finals by defeating Jamaica in an inter-confederation playoff held in Mexico—an outcome that raised questions about whether Kakuta’s international career might be nearing its end.
Desabre backs continuity and targets progression
Kakuta’s club story has been widely followed since his emergence as a youth player at Chelsea. His move to Stamford Bridge as a teenager attracted controversy, yet he never delivered the breakthrough that was expected, later going on to play for 15 clubs across nine different countries.
For the rest of the roster, Desabre has largely maintained the same base that performed at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Congo finished fourth and then reached the last 16 during the competition in Morocco.
Desabre said on Monday that the squad had essentially selected itself after several years together, adding that the World Cup is not a stage for experimentation or development.
He also pointed to the team’s ambition, stating that their aim is to perform at their best and to advance beyond the group phase, which he believes is within their reach.
Group K draw and Congo’s World Cup history
At the finals, DR Congo will play in Group K against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
The last time the country reached the World Cup, they were known as Zaire. That campaign came in West Germany in 1974, where they lost all three matches, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.
DR Congo squad (25 players)
Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gaël Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)
