World Cup
DR Congo confident ahead of World Cup play-off final as Nigeria dispute eligibility
By Kunle Solaja.
As controversy surrounds DR Congo’s participation in the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the country’s coach, Sébastien Desabre, has declared that the entire nation will “come to a standstill” when the Leopards play their decisive qualification match later this month.
Nigeria have lodged a protest challenging the eligibility of the Central African side following their dramatic play-off clash, a dispute that could yet influence the outcome of the qualification race for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Despite the off-field uncertainty, Desabre insists his team remain focused on securing their place at the global showpiece.
Speaking in an interview published on FIFA’s official website ahead of the play-off final in Guadalajara, Mexico, on March 31, the French tactician said his side were fully motivated to complete a long and demanding qualifying journey.
“We’re really fired up. We’re still on course to meet our main objective,” Desabre said. “This final will be our 13th match since our qualifying campaign began. It’s definitely been a long road to get here, and we’ve worked our way through every stage.”
The Leopards are chasing a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, having made their only appearance in 1974 when the country was still known as Zaire.
DR Congo players are looking forward to a historic return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence.
To secure qualification, DR Congo must defeat either Jamaica or New Caledonia in the play-off final, with the winner earning one of the last tickets to the 2026 tournament.
Desabre acknowledged the magnitude of the occasion but urged his players to remain composed despite the historic opportunity.
“We all want to go to the World Cup, but we can’t let our emotions get the better of us,” he said. “What matters is playing well, staying grounded and giving everything on the pitch to make Congo proud.”
The coach highlighted the unity within the squad as one of the team’s key strengths.
“The players share a strong bond on and off the pitch. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. Our forwards track back, our defenders push forward – we fight together like soldiers going into battle for our country.”
Desabre also pointed to the team’s defensive discipline during qualifying, having conceded just once in their last four matches, while maintaining attacking efficiency.
“We have talented players at top clubs, and everyone has bought into the project we’ve been building,” he added.
The DR Congo coach referenced the earlier play-off clash with Nigeria – a tense encounter decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw – as the type of performance his side must replicate in the final.
“We need to deliver the kind of performance we produced against Nigeria,” he said.
With qualification within touching distance, Desabre believes the match could become a defining moment for football in the Central African nation.
“The Congolese are passionate about football, and some people are going through difficult times,” he said. “I know the whole nation will come to a standstill on 31 March so they can watch the match. We hope we can give our fans the lift they deserve.”
For Desabre, guiding DR Congo to the World Cup would represent the culmination of more than three years of rebuilding.
“When I took the job, the team had hit a rough patch, but I believed in them from the start,” he said. “Now we are within touching distance of our goal.”
While the Leopards prepare for a warm-up match against Bermuda before travelling to Mexico, attention in African football circles remains divided between the upcoming play-off final and Nigeria’s protest, which questions whether DR Congo were eligible to take part in the decisive stage of the qualification process.
The outcome of that dispute could ultimately determine whether the Leopards’ dream of returning to the World Cup for the first time in more than half a century becomes a reality.
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By Kunle Solaja
Curaçao head coach Dick Advocaat is poised to write his name into FIFA World Cup history when his side takes on Germany in their Group E opener at the 2026 tournament.
At 78 years and 260 days old, the veteran Dutchman will become the oldest coach ever to lead a team in a World Cup match, setting a new tournament record and adding another remarkable chapter to a coaching career that has spanned more than four decades.
The historic milestone comes as Curaçao prepare for the biggest match in their football history. The Caribbean nation is making its FIFA World Cup debut and faces a daunting opening assignment against four-time champions Germany.
While much of the pre-match attention has focused on Germany’s quest for another world title, Advocaat’s record-breaking appearance has become one of the tournament’s most compelling stories.
Known affectionately as “The Little General,” Advocaat has enjoyed a distinguished coaching career that has taken him across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He has managed several national teams, including the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Russia, Serbia and Iraq, while also leading some of Europe’s most prominent clubs.
Now, at an age when most coaches have long since retired, he finds himself guiding Curaçao onto football’s grandest stage.
The achievement is particularly significant given the scale of Curaçao’s accomplishment in reaching the World Cup. The Caribbean island nation is the smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament, and its appearance in North America has already been celebrated as a historic sporting triumph.
Advocaat’s vast experience is expected to be invaluable as Curaçao attempts to compete against some of the world’s leading football nations.
Their first challenge comes against a German side that has participated in more World Cup tournaments than any other European nation and enters the competition among the favourites.
For Advocaat, however, the occasion is about more than records.
The Dutchman has repeatedly demonstrated throughout his career an enduring passion for the game, and leading Curaçao at the World Cup represents another remarkable accomplishment in a journey that began decades ago.
When Curaçao step onto the field against Germany, the match will not only mark the nation’s World Cup debut but will also see Advocaat become the oldest coach ever to patrol the touchline at football’s biggest tournament — a testament to his longevity, dedication and enduring influence on the global game.
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By Kunle Solaja
Tunisia will begin another quest to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history when they face Sweden in their Group F opener.
The North Africans are making their seventh appearance at the finals and arrive determined to finally break through the group-stage barrier that has frustrated previous generations.
Their task, however, will be far from easy against a Sweden side with a strong recent World Cup pedigree.
The Scandinavians have advanced beyond the group phase in each of their last four World Cup appearances and boast extensive experience on football’s biggest stage.
Tunisia have often impressed with their organisation and fighting spirit but have struggled to translate promising performances into qualification for the knockout rounds.
A positive result against Sweden would significantly enhance their hopes of making history this time around.
For Sweden, meanwhile, victory would reinforce their status as one of Europe’s most consistent World Cup performers and provide a solid foundation for the remainder of their campaign.
With both teams targeting progression from Group F, the encounter could prove pivotal in shaping the standings from the very first matchday.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Côte d’Ivoire return to the FIFA World Cup stage after a 12-year absence when they face Ecuador in a historic Group E encounter that marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
The Elephants are back among football’s elite under the guidance of coach Emerse Faé, who knows the World Cup experience firsthand, having represented his country as a player at the 2006 tournament in Germany.
After missing the last three World Cups, the African champions are eager to make an immediate impact and prove they belong among the world’s best once again.
Standing in their way is an experienced Ecuador side captained by veteran striker Enner Valencia, the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer and a player with a proven World Cup pedigree.
Both teams will view the match as a vital opportunity to gain an early advantage in Group E, where every point could prove crucial in the race for a place in the knockout rounds.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the encounter represents the beginning of a new chapter, while Ecuador will be determined to use their experience to spoil the Africans’ long-awaited return.
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Advocaat Set to Make World Cup History as Curaçao Face Germany
Tunisia Chase Historic Breakthrough Against Experienced Sweden
Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador Set for Historic First World Cup Meeting
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