DR Congo's 52 years of suffering are over: United's child sends Leopards to World Cup!

Their time has finally come! DR Congo will play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

After 52 years of suffering, the Leopards return to the WC - for the first time under the name DR Congo - thanks to the hard-fought 1-0 victory over Jamaica in one of the two finals of the inter-confederation play-offs.

The African team expectedly dominated the game against Reggae Boyz, but failed to seal the deal in 90 minutes. The Leopards had as many as 15 shots, but only two on target. Nevertheless, they managed to completely anesthetize Jamaica's most lethal offensive weapons, Leon Bailey and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

The additional 30 minutes were the same story all over again. Only this time, the Congolese got a reward for their better display, embodied in Axel Tuanzebe's 100th-minute winner!

Manchester United's child managed in the crowd and melee in Jamaica's box following a corner kick, and smash the ball into the net for the immense joy of almost 125 million people in his homeland.

This way, the Leopards finally broke the curse that followed them for over half a century and will aim for their maiden World Cup victory in their second appearance. In North America, they will play in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

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A couple of hours later, another curse was broken, but a slightly shorter one. After a 40-year absence from the WC, Iraq managed to qualify for the elite tournament for only the second time in their history.

After what this country has been through during the first half of the 21st century - the consequences are unfortunately still there - this success could be one of the rare moments of joy for the Iraqi people.

The heroes of the Asian team's victory were Ali Al Hamadi, who scored the 10th-minute opener, and Aymen Hussein, who netted the 53rd-minute winner.

In the meantime, Bolivia managed to bounce back through Moises Paniagua eight minutes before the break, but failed to build on their overall better display and seize their chances.

As in the case of DR Congo, the Lions of Mesopotamia's appearance in 1986 was their only one, and it ended without a single win.

Hence, Graham Arnold's men will seek their historic first triumph at the World Cup in one of the tournament's toughest groups, Group I, where they'll face France, Senegal, and Norway.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION

Inter-confederation play-offs

Wednesday

Path 1

DR Congo - Jamaica 1-0 a.e.t. (0-0)

/Tuanzebe 100/

Path 2

Iraq - Bolivia 2-1 (1-1)

/Al Hamadi 10, Hussein 53 - Paniagua 38/