DR Congo Fall 1-2 to Chile in Final World Cup Warm-Up Behind Closed Doors
DR Congo lost 1-2 to Chile in their last friendly before the FIFA World Cup 2026, as of June 9, 2026 . The match was played behind closed doors at the Stade de la Source in Orléans, France, with no fans admitted due to health concerns linked to an Ebola outbreak in central Africa . The game was originally scheduled to take place in Spain before authorities relocated it to France .
It was a strange send-off (as of June 9, 2026). No crowd. A neutral venue on a different continent. And a defeat. But the scoreline told only half the story.
How the Match Played Out
Coach Sébastien Desabre lined up a 4-5-1 formation with C. Mbemba, A. Wan-Bissaka, and A. Tuanzebe across the back line, L. Mpasi in goal, and C. Bakambu as the lone striker . G. Kakuta, who has 2 NT goals in just 2 appearances over the last 12 months, started in midfield (as of June 9, 2026).
The first half ended goalless (as of June 9, 2026). At the break, Desabre overhauled his attack — pulling Bakambu, M. Elia, and E. Kayembe simultaneously and sending on T. Bongonda, N. Mukau, and Y. Wissa . Three changes at once, all in the forward and midfield areas. Eight days before facing Portugal.
Chile broke the deadlock through Darío Osorio in the 51st minute. Matías Sepúlveda doubled the lead in the 86th . Joris Kayembe pulled one back for DR Congo a minute later . Too late to salvage a result, but the sort of response that hints at fight.
The underlying numbers painted a more competitive picture. DR Congo matched Chile in possession at 50-50 and outshot them 10-6 overall, including 4 shots on target to Chile's 3 . This was not a team overrun. It was a team that conceded two sharp finishes and ran out of time.
What the Defeat Means for Group K
DR Congo's trailing 12-month record now stands at 12 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses, scoring 28 and conceding 12 . The Chile defeat came three days after a 0-0 draw with Denmark. Two matches without a win heading into the biggest tournament in Congolese football history (as of June 9, 2026).
But context matters. Across those 19 matches, the Leopards beat Cameroon away, drew with Nigeria away, and beat Senegal's neighbors across multiple AFCON fixtures. This is a squad that has been tested against serious opposition. One closed-door loss to Chile does not erase that body of work.
The squad flies to Houston immediately after the match to prepare for the Group K opener against Portugal on June 17 at NRG Stadium . After that: Colombia on June 23 in Zapopan at Estadio Akron, then Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Three games. Two continents' worth of travel already done before the tournament kicks off. The logistical burden on this team — Ebola-related venue changes, closed-door restrictions, transatlantic flights — is unlike anything the other Group K squads have faced.
Desabre's Half-Time Overhaul Raises Questions
The triple substitution at the break is the tactical headline. Desabre withdrew his starting striker (Bakambu, 359 NT minutes this cycle), his wide option (Elia, 286 NT minutes), and a midfield regular (E. Kayembe, 175 NT minutes) all at once .
In came Bongonda (316 NT minutes, 1 goal), Mukau (314 NT minutes, a Lille regular with 2,471 club minutes), and Wissa (90 NT minutes but 931 club minutes at Newcastle) (as of June 9, 2026).
Was this rotation for freshness ahead of the World Cup? Or a genuine audition? Against Portugal, Desabre cannot change half his attacking unit at half-time and expect to stay in the match. The first-choice forward line remains an open question.
Track every Leopard's minutes, form, and group-stage schedule on the DR Congo hub.
The Full 26-Player Squad
DR Congo named their official 26-player roster on May 18, 2026. Here is every player, their club, and their national-team numbers over the last 12 months.
Goalkeepers
- L. Mpasi — Congo DR — 510 NT min, 5 apps
- T. Fayulu — FC Noah — 0 NT min, 0 apps
- M. Epolo — Standard Liege — 0 NT min, 0 apps
Defenders
- C. Mbemba — Lille (France) — 510 NT min, 5 apps
- A. Wan-Bissaka — West Ham (England) — 420 NT min, 4 apps
- A. Tuanzebe — Burnley (England) — 420 NT min, 4 apps, 1 goal (as of June 9, 2026)
- J. Kayembe — Genk — 264 NT min, 5 apps
- A. Masuaku — Lens (France) — 246 NT min, 6 apps, 1 goal, 1 assist (as of June 9, 2026)
- R. Bushiri — Hibernian — 90 NT min, 1 app
- G. Kalulu — Aris — 90 NT min, 1 app
- S. Kapuadi — Widzew Łódź — 0 NT min, 0 apps
- D. Batubinsika — Larisa — 0 NT min, 0 apps
Midfielders
- S. Moutoussamy — Atromitos — 409 NT min, 6 apps
- N. Sadiki — Sunderland (England) — 339 NT min, 5 apps
- T. Bongonda — Congo DR — 316 NT min, 7 apps, 1 goal (as of June 9, 2026)
- N. Mukau — Lille (France) — 314 NT min, 5 apps
- N. Mbuku — Montpellier — 291 NT min, 5 apps, 1 goal (as of June 9, 2026)
- E. Kayembe — Watford — 175 NT min, 4 apps
- C. Pickel — Espanyol (Spain) — 85 NT min, 3 apps
Forwards
- C. Bakambu — Real Betis (Spain) — 359 NT min, 6 apps, 1 goal (as of June 9, 2026)
- M. Elia — Alanyaspor (Türkiye) — 286 NT min, 8 apps
- F. Mayele — Pyramids FC — 160 NT min, 4 apps (2,537 club min, 10 club goals)
- G. Kakuta — Larisa — 125 NT min, 2 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist (as of June 9, 2026)
- Y. Wissa — Newcastle (England) — 90 NT min, 1 app
- B. Cipenga — Castellón — 54 NT min, 3 apps (2,250 club min, 6 goals, 9 assists) (as of June 9, 2026)
- S. Banza — Al-Jazira — 0 NT min, 1 app, 2 goals (as of June 9, 2026)
Players to Watch in Group K
F. Mayele has been prolific at club level: 10 goals in 2,537 minutes for Pyramids FC over the last 12 months. He has not yet replicated that form internationally — 0 goals in 160 NT minutes — but the finishing is there (as of June 9, 2026).
G. Kakuta is the efficiency outlier. Two goals and an assist in just 125 NT minutes across 2 appearances. At 35, he is the squad's most experienced creative option. He started against Chile and could be the wildcard in Group K (as of June 9, 2026).
B. Cipenga's club numbers are striking: 6 goals and 9 assists in 2,250 minutes for Castellón. He has barely featured for the national team (54 minutes), but Desabre clearly sees something (as of June 9, 2026).
A. Wan-Bissaka brings Premier League pedigree at right-back. He has 420 NT minutes across 4 appearances and logged 2,204 club minutes at West Ham this season (as of June 9, 2026).
When does DR Congo play their first World Cup match?
DR Congo open Group K against Portugal on June 17, 2026, at NRG Stadium in Houston . It is the Leopards' first-ever World Cup match since qualifying for the tournament.
Who scored for DR Congo against Chile?
Joris Kayembe scored DR Congo's only goal in the 87th minute of the 1-2 defeat to Chile in Orléans, France . Chile's goals came from Darío Osorio (51') and Matías Sepúlveda (86') .
How many players are in DR Congo's World Cup 2026 squad?
DR Congo named a 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The roster was officially announced on May 18, 2026, and includes players from leagues in France, England, Spain, Türkiye, Belgium, Greece, Poland, and beyond.
What is DR Congo's recent form heading into the World Cup?
Over the last 12 months, DR Congo have won 12, drawn 3, and lost 4, scoring 28 goals and conceding 12 . Notable results include an away win over Cameroon, an away draw with Nigeria, and wins over Botswana and Zambia (as of June 9, 2026).
Who is DR Congo's head coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Sébastien Desabre leads DR Congo into the 2026 World Cup. His tactical flexibility was on display against Chile, where he started a 4-5-1 and made three attacking substitutions at half-time .