When the Democratic Republic of Congo’s coaching staff formally submitted their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, they delivered more than a list of names. Tucked quietly within the official delegation alongside managers, medical staff and support personnel was a seat reserved not for a player or a tactician, but for a fan.
A single, extraordinary supporter who has come to embody everything the Léopards faithful stand for.
He is known simply as “Lumumba.” His journey from the terraces to the heart of the official World Cup party is a story that has captured the imagination of football lovers across the African continent. It was the players themselves who made the request and the President of the Republic who made it a reality.
The decision to include Lumumba in the delegation was not made behind closed doors by federation administrators. It originated from the Players.
The Léopards squad many of them household names across Europe’s top divisions collectively petitioned for their most famous fan to join them. The request was formally submitted to President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who approved it without hesitation.
The result is a package that leaves nothing to chance. Lumumba will travel with the delegation on full expenses: flights, accommodation, feeding, match tickets and every incidental cost covered in their entirety. His visa has been secured, sparing him the bureaucratic stress that so often frustrates African supporters attempting to follow their teams abroad. He will want for nothing.
For those who follow Congolese football closely, Lumumba is not a new name. His devotion to the Léopards is the stuff of legend on the terraces. But it was at AFCON 2025 in Morocco where he truly stepped into the spotlight.
His presence in Morocco, his passion, his energy, his unwavering loyalty through every 90 minutes drew the attention of supporters far beyond the DRC faithful. Across social media and in stadia from Casablanca to Rabat, his face became one of the tournament’s defining images. He represented something universal: the pure, unfiltered love of football that no transfer fee can quantify and no contract can buy. Morocco left an indelible mark on him. And the football world, in turn, noticed him.
The Official 26-Man Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
The DR Congo Football Federation has officially released the Léopards’ squad list ahead of the tournament, with the head coach announcing a balanced blend of European-based talent and experienced campaigners tasked with representing Central Africa on the global stage.
The 26-man selection draws heavily from top European leagues, with players based in France, England, Belgium, Spain and beyond making the cut. Cédric Bakambu and Yannick Bolasie-era stalwart Gaël Kakuta feature among the more experienced names, while the list is bolstered by the inclusion of Premier League defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.
In goal, the Léopards will look to Mpasi, Epolo, Fayulu and Mbemba, the latter of whom can also operate in defence to provide competition and cover.
The Full Delegation:
