The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has declared Wednesday, April 1, 2026, a public holiday throughout the national territory, following the Leopards' historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. This decision was announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, in an official statement signed by Minister Ferdinand Massamba Wa Massamba.
The DRC secured its ticket to the 2026 World Cup by defeating Jamaica 1-0 after extra time on the night of Tuesday, March 31. Axel Tuanzebe, a defender playing in the Premier League for Burnley, scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute, propelling his country to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when it participated as Zaire.
This qualification triggered a wave of celebrations across the country. Thousands of Congolese people flooded the streets of Kinshasa, the capital, braving the rain to express their joy and pride. The festivities were marked by banging pots, honking car horns, and singing, reflecting a renewed national unity after years of conflict.
The decision to declare a public holiday aims to allow the Congolese population to celebrate this historic event in unity and fervor. According to the official statement, this initiative is in line with the desire of the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, and the Prime Minister, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, to encourage national pride.
The Leopards will join Group K of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. The challenge will be significant for the Congolese team, which will try to improve on its 1974 participation, where it suffered a series of defeats.
The captain of the Leopards, Chancel Mbemba, emphasized the importance of remaining humble and continuing to work hard in preparation for the competition. Striker Cédric Bakambu expressed his eagerness to reunite with the Congolese public in Kinshasa to celebrate this historic qualification.
This qualification is seen as a moment of national unity and pride for the DRC, a country that has experienced decades of conflict. The Leopards' return to the World Cup is a major event for the country and its supporters.
