The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has made it the 47th out of 48 teams to qualify for the World Cup, after a 52-year absence from the sport. The country's long wait was due to the expansion from 32 to 48 countries, which allowed for nations like Iraq, Turkey, and Czechia to emerge. The team's success was largely due to efforts from players with Congolese ties to represent the national team. Despite this, the country's domestic league operated without support from sponsors or government funding. Despite efforts to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup and the final stages of its qualification, Congo remains beset by internal conflict.