DR Congo determined to keep World Cup hopes alive, says Desabre
By Joel Masibo, June 24, 2026Democratic Republic of the Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre has called on his players to stay focused and optimistic as they prepare for a decisive final group-stage encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Leopards currently sit third in Group K with a single point and must secure victory against Uzbekistan in Atlanta on Saturday, June 27, 2026, to stand any chance of advancing to the round of 32.
Following Tuesday’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia, Desabre urged his squad to quickly shift their attention to the next challenge.
Keeping the focus
“We need to accept the loss, keep our heads high and get back into the fight quickly,” Desabre told reporters after his team’s 1-0 loss to Colombia on Tuesday.
The French tactician acknowledged that Colombia earned the result, with Daniel Munoz’s late goal finally breaking DR Congo’s stubborn defensive effort at Guadalajara Stadium.
“It would have been good to get a draw, but we must recognize that Colombia was superior,” the Frenchman said. “They have an excellent possession game. We came into the game late. Our second half was better, but that’s football. We have to analyze what happened and move forward.” He noted.
The Central African nation is making its first World Cup appearance since 1974 and marked a historic milestone in its opening fixture by collecting its first-ever point at the tournament after a 1-1 draw with Portugal.
Despite celebrating that achievement, Desabre insisted his players remain hungry for more success.
“We are happy to have scored our first goal, and we are using this as a learning experience,” he said. “Uzbekistan will be difficult because they defend well but we are going to give our all. Now we have to rest and recover our energy.”
With qualification still mathematically possible, DR Congo will now turn its full attention to the crucial clash against Uzbekistan as it seeks to extend its World Cup journey.