Who is DR Congo’s head coach?
This is Frenchman Sebastien Desabre’s 11th coaching role in Africa.
The 49-year-old has qualified DR Congo for successive Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the semi-finals in 2023, as well as the World Cup. He had previous success with Uganda.
How did DR Congo get to the last 32?
They earned the first World Cup point in their history by holding strongly-fancied Portugal to a 1-1 draw but then lost 1-0 to Colombia. That left DR Congo needing to beat Uzbekistan, which they duly did 3-1 to progress to the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Where can I watch DR Congo?
Their last-32 tie against England will be live on BBC One on Wednesday 1 July, with build-up from 16:00 BST.
The match will also be covered live on BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC Sport website and app.
Give me a fact to impress my friends
Superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga, who went viral at the Africa Cup of Nations for his eye-catching patriotism during games, has been included in DR Congo’s official World Cup delegation at the request of the players.
Since 2013, Mboladinga has worn colourful suits and silently imitated a statue of revered revolutionary leader Patrice Lumumba, with one arm raised, for entire matches.
Now give me some proper detail
The Congolese proverb little by little, grow the bananas emphasises the virtues of patience and steady progress. But during the national football team’s 52-year gap between World Cups – the joint-fourth longest of any nation – patience has been exhausted and progress stalled. Until now.
There has been a determination to change the country’s World Cup narrative after a 1974 debut that left them ripe for ridicule. Zaire, as DR Congo was then known, lost all three games – including 9-0 against Yugoslavia.
Then came the infamous moment when right-back Mwepu Ilunga charged out of a defensive wall to boot the ball away as Brazil lined up a free-kick.
Bemused onlookers were unaware it was an act of political protest. The players had learned their expected wages and bonuses wouldn’t be paid – and Zaire President Mobutu then threatened them with exile if they lost by more than three goals against Brazil.
By kicking the ball away, Ilunga had hoped to waste time and get sent off. He was only booked and Zaire lost 3-0; they were allowed home but President Mobutu cut their funding.
Ever since, the 1968 and 1974 African champions have been kept on the game’s periphery by a combination of conflict, corruption, poor football governance and a lack of facilities.
Current head coach Desabre has brought in fresh talent from the vast Congolese diaspora – all but six of the World Cup squad were born in Europe – and the nation is now seeing the fruits of his endlessly patient nurturing.
How have DR Congo done at previous World Cups?
The central African nation has only played in the World Cup once before – in 1974, when the country was named Zaire. They lost all three group games without scoring, including 9-0 against Yugoslavia.
