World Cup
Last Chance to World Cup 2026: DRC Leopards Seek Redemption, Jamaica Reggae Boyz Chase History in Intercontinental Play-off
By Kunle Solaja
Some matches define careers, and then there are matches that attempt to rewrite history. This Tuesday’s intercontinental World Cup play-off between DR Congo and Jamaica falls firmly into the latter category—a collision of ambition, memory, and unfinished business.
For the Congolese, this is more than a football match. It is a 90-minute opportunity to correct a narrative that has lingered painfully for over half a century.
A 52-Year Wait for Redemption
The last and only time DR Congo, then known as Zaire, appeared at the World Cup was in 1974 in West Germany. It remains one of the most misunderstood campaigns in football history.
DR Congo, as Zaire crumble to a 9-0 defeat against Yugoslavia in 1974.
That same year, the world watched Muhammad Ali defeat George Foreman in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle in Kinshasa, while political upheaval in the United States saw Richard Nixon resign over Watergate. Against that global backdrop, Zaire’s World Cup journey descended into chaos.
A 2-0 defeat to Scotland was respectable. But what followed—a 9-0 thrashing by Yugoslavia and a 3-0 loss to Brazil—etched the team into global football folklore for the wrong reasons.
The enduring image remains Mwepu Ilunga charging out of the defensive wall to blast the ball away before a Brazilian free kick—an act widely mocked at the time but later understood to have deeper roots, including alleged unpaid bonuses and internal tensions.
“We were not a bad team,” goalkeeper Mohamed Kalambay would later insist. History, however, has not always been kind.
A New Generation, A Different Story
Now, a new generation of Congolese players stands on the brink of rewriting that legacy. “This is the biggest game of my career,” said defender Axel Tuanzebe, echoing the sentiments of millions back home and across a vast diaspora estimated at over 110 million people. Former captain Gabriel Zakuani has gone even further, calling it “the biggest game in our history.”
DR Congo players seek a return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence
Victory would not only end a 52-year absence—it would also secure Africa a symbolic 10th representative at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. More importantly, it would offer DR Congo the chance to return not as participants, but as competitors determined to erase the ghosts of 1974.
Jamaica’s Own Dream of Return
Standing in their way are the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica—a team with its own history of longing and resurgence.
Jamaica’s only World Cup appearance came in 1998 in France, where they famously defeated Japan 2-1 to record their first—and so far only—World Cup win.
Since then, the Caribbean side has flirted with qualification but fallen short. This play-off represents their clearest path back to the global stage in nearly three decades.
Blending Europe-based professionals with emerging local talent, Jamaica arrive with pace, physicality, and a fearless approach—traits that could trouble the Leopards if not carefully managed.
Tactical Battle and Stakes
On paper, DR Congo may carry the edge in defensive organisation and experience, particularly with players like Tuanzebe anchoring the backline. Their midfield discipline and structured approach could prove decisive in a high-pressure encounter.
Jamaica, however, will look to stretch the game, using speed on the flanks and direct attacking transitions to unsettle their opponents.
But beyond tactics, this match will likely be decided by temperament.
For DR Congo, the weight of history could either inspire or suffocate. For Jamaica, the opportunity is simpler: seize the moment and return to a stage they have long missed.
More Than Qualification
Awaiting the winner is a place in a World Cup group alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan, and Colombia—a challenging but navigable path for a team willing to dream beyond participation.
As Zakuani put it, the objective is not merely to attend, but to compete and “create history.”
For DR Congo, history is something to be reclaimed.
For Jamaica, it is something to be rediscovered.
On Tuesday, one of them will take a decisive step toward rewriting their football story.
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Nine people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, days before the tournament is due to kick off.
Kansas City police said there were no suspects in custody and that at least three of the shooting victims were transported to local hospitals.
The incident occurred roughly four miles from where England are set to train at Swope Soccer Village. England have not arrived in Kansas City and are due to play a friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the FA declined to comment.
Gun violence is common in the United States, where there were more than 400 mass shootings in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
-Reuters
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Morocco concluded their preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Norway in an international friendly on Sunday, showing flashes of attacking quality before being forced to withstand late pressure from the Europeans.
The Atlas Lions made a bright start and took the lead after just seven minutes through star forward Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid attacker capitalised on space outside the penalty area to unleash a powerful strike that gave Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland no chance.
The goal marked Diaz’s first for Morocco since the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer despite the disappointment of missing a penalty in the final.
Morocco looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages and nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli connected with a teasing cross from Diaz but sent his volley narrowly off target.
The North Africans continued to threaten after the break. Diaz again tested the Norwegian defence in the 57th minute, forcing Nyland into a save before midfielder Neil El Aynaoui headed the rebound over the crossbar.
While Morocco controlled large portions of the contest, Norway gradually grew into the game and mounted sustained pressure in the closing stages. Their persistence paid off 15 minutes from then when captain Martin Odegaard finished neatly with his left foot after a clever run and assist from Oscar Bobb.
Norway almost snatched victory late on, but Kristian Thorstvedt’s header from Julian Ryerson’s free-kick drifted narrowly wide, allowing Morocco to preserve the draw.
Despite surrendering their early lead, the result offers several positives for coach Walid Regragui ahead of Morocco’s opening World Cup Group C fixture against Brazil in New York on Saturday. The Atlas Lions demonstrated their attacking threat through Diaz while also showing resilience under pressure as they defended resolutely in the closing minutes.
With Brazil, Haiti and Scotland also in Group C, Morocco will take encouragement from another competitive performance as they prepare for one of the toughest opening assignments of the tournament.
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Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman plans to use Monday’s friendly against Uzbekistan in New York as an opportunity for his first-choice line-up to have a proper dress rehearsal ahead of their opening World Cup clash against Japan next weekend.
The rest of the Dutch squad will then play a second unofficial game against the Uzbeks straight afterwards, made up of two 35-minute halves, Koeman announced on Sunday.
“We want to use the first match to make as few changes as possible. We have to wait and see if that works,” he said at a press conference ahead of the clash at the Ichan Stadium.
“We are going to play the first match largely with our starting team. It is also good for guys who are not 100% fit, who can then play in the second match. That is why we are playing two matches.
“We have 26 players, and everyone gets minutes to play. That’s what you want.”
A decision still needs to be made regarding defender Jurrien Timber, who only joined the squad last Thursday after playing for Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30.
It was Timber’s first outing since March after struggling with a groin injury, and there remains concern over his levels of fitness.
“If he trains and is fully fit, he always makes a good impression. That hasn’t been the case every day, so we have to make a decision,” Koeman told reporters.
“He participated in training, and we are going to sit down with the doctor and Jurrien at the end of Sunday afternoon to see whether he is going to start or not,” the coach added.
The Dutch open their Group F campaign against Japan in Dallas on Sunday. Uzbekistan take on Colombia on June 17 in Group K.
-Reuters
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