Tshisekedi Orders Structured Plan for DR Congo World Cup Preparation

President Félix Tshisekedi has ordered the Congolese government to move quickly on a structured preparation plan for the Leopards after DR Congo secured its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a report by Beto.cd.

The directive marks the next phase in the country’s World Cup buildup after the Leopards ended a 52-year wait for a return to football’s biggest stage.

During the 85th Council of Ministers meeting, chaired on Friday, April 3 by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, Tshisekedi called for an organized and methodical framework to guide the national team’s preparations.

According to government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, the President asked the government to create all the conditions needed for optimal preparation and instructed the sports ministry to submit a strategic, holistic plan as soon as possible.

That plan is expected to cover the team’s technical, logistical, medical, organizational and psychological needs, turning political direction into a more concrete roadmap ahead of the tournament. The move follows DR Congo’s qualification after a 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica, a result widely reported by AP and CAF.

The government says the objective is to give the Leopards a stronger competitive base before they face the demands of the global tournament. In practical terms, the next test will be whether the sports ministry can translate the presidency’s instructions into an actionable preparation program with clear timelines, staffing and support systems.

The announcement also signals that Kinshasa wants the World Cup campaign to be backed not only by public celebration, but by state planning aimed at improving performance on the international stage. That would give DR Congo a more deliberate path forward after one of the country’s biggest football achievements in decades.