After 52 Years, Tshisekedi Leads DRC Back to the World Cup

When Axel Tuanzebe’s knee diverted a corner into Jamaica’s net deep into extra time in Guadalajara, the immediate story was football. The strike secured a 1‑0 victory and sent the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to a World Cup for the first time since 1974. Yet in Kinshasa, Goma, and across the diaspora, the celebration went far beyond sport. Fifty‑two years after the country, then called Zaire, bowed out of the global stage, President Félix Tshisekedi hugged supporters in the streets. At the same time, the government declared 1 April a public holiday. In a nation battling conflict and poverty, the qualification has become a pivot point for a broader narrative: rebranding DR Congo, attracting investment, and forging unity.

Tourism opportunity – changing global perceptions

DR Congo’s natural endowment is staggering. The country holds five UNESCO World Heritage parks, massive tropical forests, volcanic mountains, and the Congo River basin. But insecurity and weak infrastructure have kept visitor numbers low; tourism revenues were just €89 million in 2019. Qualification for the 2026 World Cup offers a unique promotional platform. Global exposure will introduce millions of viewers to Congolese imagery and culture. Analysts note that major sporting milestones often trigger spikes in consumption and brand visibility; retailers and hospitality operators in Congo have already reported a surge in demand following the qualification.

This momentum could support post‑pandemic tourism recovery, especially if the government leverages broadcast partnerships and sponsors to showcase attractions. The Ministry of Tourism’s master plan and visa‑facilitation reforms, including an electronic visa system and public‑private partnerships for hospitality investment, provide a structure to channel increased curiosity into sustainable visitation. In effect, football becomes a marketing vehicle to reposition Congo as an ecotourism giant rather than a byword for violence.

Investment and economic signalling – confidence through sport

Beyond tourism, the World Cup berth carries heavy signalling value for investors. DR Congo is Africa’s largest cobalt and copper producer and hosts abundant hydroelectric potential; its population of over 110 million gives it the scale for a major consumer market. Under President Tshisekedi, the government has sought to diversify the economy. Reforms such as a “one‑stop shop” that cuts company incorporation time from 24 to seven days, accession to the East African Community, and digital platforms that reduce bribery have improved the investment climate. The National Agency for Investment Promotion (ANAPI) guides investors and was recognised by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies. Policy direction is towards greater stability, transparency, and sustainability, even as corruption and infrastructure deficits persist.

Qualification amplifies these economic messages. Scholars note that perception shifts can influence capital flows. The euphoria that gripped cities from Kinshasa to Goma has temporarily replaced headlines of rebel violence with images of joyful crowds. Investors watching the celebrations see a society capable of unity and optimism. For a country seeking finance for multi‑billion‑dollar railways such as the Lobito Corridor and the Tanzania–Burundi–DRC standard gauge railway, the timing is propitious. At a summit in Kinshasa last year, Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa argued that shared infrastructure could transform a region known for conflict into one driven by economic interdependence. With the World Cup spotlight, those projects become part of a compelling narrative that Congo is open for business.

International image shift – from conflict to resurgence

For decades, news about DR Congo has centred on conflict in its mineral‑rich east. Even as Kinshasa celebrates, fighting with M23 rebels continues. Yet the World Cup qualification provides a rare counter‑story. International media described how people across the country danced and embraced in a “rare moment of joy”, noting that the victory “transcended political divides” with both government and rebels offering commendations. President Tshisekedi used the moment to reiterate his commitment to inclusive national dialogue and said national unity was “more than ever a fundamental requirement”. The government declared a nationwide paid holiday, reinforcing the message that this is a historic national achievement.

This celebration arrives as Kinshasa pushes for a broader international repositioning. At the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Congo championed cross‑border infrastructure projects to link economies and embed security. The government’s long‑term vision, outlined by ANAPI, aims to position the country as a diversified, high‑income economy by 2050 based on human capital, good governance, sustainable growth, and inclusive development. By aligning the football triumph with these plans, Tshisekedi can recast Congo’s narrative — from a perpetual crisis zone to a nation on the cusp of resurgence. The world sees a country celebrating joyfully rather than one solely defined by war.

Congolese talent and diaspora – football as soft power

The team that earned the qualification symbolises globalization and diaspora influence. Of the players who faced Jamaica, many were born or raised in Europe, including goal‑scorer Axel Tuanzebe, who moved to Britain at five, joined Manchester United’s academy, and later switched allegiance to DR Congo. Coach Sébastien Desabre actively recruited diaspora‑born players over the past two years, forging a tight group despite legal challenges. The majority of the squad comes from a diaspora that spans Europe, reflecting DR Congo’s extensive global community. For many diaspora members, representing Congo at the World Cup is a form of soft power — a way to connect with their heritage and showcase Congolese talent on a global stage. During the playoff in Guadalajara, large portions of the diaspora travelled from the United States and Canada, some on a government‑chartered flight; others were stranded due to visa restrictions. Their presence turned the match into a tri‑continental celebration.

Diaspora engagement extends beyond football. Remittances sustain families, and diaspora networks lobby for political reform and investment. The government’s digital‑skills programme aims to train 250,000 young Congolese through partnerships with Cisco and Cybastion, signalling a bid to create opportunities at home so that migration becomes a choice rather than a necessity. By elevating diaspora players and investing in youth, DR Congo leverages football’s appeal to mobilise talent and project a positive image abroad.

National unity and pride – consolidating identity

The scenes following the victory underscored football’s capacity to foster cohesion. In Goma, an epicentre of conflict, fans expressed that “it has been a long time since we smiled, but today we are happy”. Videos showed President Tshisekedi celebrating with supporters in the streets, while even M23 rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka publicly rejoiced. The Associated Press reported that people across the country danced, yelled, and hugged, finding relief from years of grim news. A historic day that older generations experienced in Zaire is now something younger Congolese will tell their children.

Yet unity must be nurtured. A New Year’s address by Tshisekedi stressed that 2026 would be “a decisive year” focused on durable security, state authority, governance reforms, and economic transformation. The public holiday and national celebrations offer a foundation on which to build civic identity, but lasting cohesion will depend on addressing the conflicts and inequalities that underpin division. The World Cup berth is a symbolic beginning rather than an end.

Conclusion: repositioning Congo on the world stage

DR Congo’s return to the World Cup is a sporting milestone with geopolitical resonance. It arrives at a moment when the country seeks to reposition itself globally: marketing its ecotourism assets, signalling investment readiness through reforms, linking security to infrastructure, celebrating diaspora talent, and uniting a fractured nation. President Félix Tshisekedi stands at the centre of this narrative. His government’s declaration of a public holiday and his appearance among celebrants underscore an effort to harness football’s soft power for national transformation. Nevertheless, after 52 years, the Leopards’ roar has reminded the world that DR Congo is more than its conflicts; it is a country of immense potential ready to rejoin the global conversation.