DRC football prepares for CAN 2027 qualifiers and structural reforms

Following the Democratic Republic of the Congo's recent return to the World Cup after 52 years, the national football team, the Leopards, is preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers. The team is scheduled to host Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa on September 24, followed by a match against Zimbabwe in Harare on September 28. Additionally, two friendly matches against Uganda are planned for early October in South Africa to allow coach Sébastien Desabre to test new talent.

On the institutional level, FECOFA President Véron Mosengo Omba met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino on September 3 to discuss a four-year restructuring plan. Key objectives include improving refereeing, developing women's football, and establishing a technical center in Kinshasa. Stakeholders are calling for concrete budgets and timelines to ensure that the momentum from the World Cup qualification translates into long-term improvements for the country's football ecosystem, including youth development and national league stability.