Democratic Republic of Congo’s success at this year’s World Cup has seen a bevy of European-born players added to their squad as coach Sebastien Desabre seeks to expand the player pool and build on their last-32 place at the finals in North America.
Later this month, DR Congo will play their first matches since the World Cup, where they were 15 minutes away from an upset win over England in Atlanta, when they begin the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Six new players from European clubs have since been added to the squad to face Equatorial Guinea in Kinshasa on September 24 and Zimbabwe away in Harare four days later.
Former Manchester United centre back Willy Kambwala, now at Italian club Como, was named along with Ezechiel Banzuzi (Leipzig), Stanis Idumbo (AS Monaco), Jordy Makengo (Freiburg), Noah Mbamba (Lorient) and Kevin Pedro (Saint-Etienne).
Banzuzi (Netherlands), Idumbo and Mbamba (Belgium) plus Pedro (France) have all been capped at junior level and would need Fifa’s permission to switch international eligibility.
None of the four have yet been approved, according to Fifa’s Change of Association Platform.
DR Congo have previously named players in the squad without securing their agreement or a formal switch of allegiances.
However, Desabre has been on a charm offensive across Europe in recent months, seeking to persuade players of Congolese heritage to commit to an international future with the Leopards.
DR Congo went past the group phase at the World Cup for the first time at this year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Banzuzi used social media this week to announce his switch to the DR Congo team after playing at under-21 level for the Netherlands, where he was born. He posed for a picture with a Congolese shirt.
DR Congo looking to build formidable squad
Desabre plans to use friendlies against Uganda on October 2 and October 5 to try to persuade even more players to join, seeking to build a formidable squad with less than a year to the Cup of Nations finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next June.
For the two clashes against Uganda, six more new players from European clubs have been invited, including Ajax Amsterdam teenager Jorthy Mokio, capped by Belgium last year, and two England under-20 internationals, Paris Maghoma and Stephy Mavididi, who play in the Championship (second tier).
Former Dutch under-21 international Anthony Musaba, who is at Championship side Norwich City, is also on the list.
Mokio earlier this year expressed his desire to play for the Congolese but because he featured in the Nations League for Belgium in March 2025, he must wait three years.
Players under 21 years old, with no more than three competitive caps at senior level, can switch allegiance but there is a three-year cooling-off period.
The two matches against Uganda are not competitive, leaving a grey area for Mokio to begin integrating into the team, even if his official debut can happen in only 18 months.
- DR Congo's national football team has added six new European-based players ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe.
- Four of the new recruits—Banzuzi, Idumbo, Mbamba, and Pedro—have played for other countries at junior levels and require FIFA approval to switch national eligibility, which has not yet been granted.
- Coach Sebastien Desabre is actively encouraging players of Congolese heritage across Europe to commit to the national team, including using upcoming friendlies against Uganda to attract talent.
- Six additional European-based players, including Jorthy Mokio, Paris Maghoma, Stephy Mavididi, and Anthony Musaba, are invited for friendlies in October, with some facing eligibility restrictions due to prior national team appearances.
- DR Congo reached the World Cup last 32 for the first time this year and aims to build a strong squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in June next year.
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Six new players from European clubs have since been added to the squad to face Equatorial Guinea in
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None of the four have yet been approved, according to Fifa’s
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However, Desabre has been on a charm offensive across Europe in recent months, seeking to persuade players of
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Banzuzi used social media this week to announce his switch to the DR
Desabre plans to use friendlies against
For the two clashes against
Former Dutch under-21 international
Mokio earlier this year expressed his desire to play for the
Players under 21 years old, with no more than three competitive caps at senior level, can switch allegiance but there is a three-year cooling-off period.
