ATLANTA — Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has issued a rallying message to the national football team ahead of their decisive World Cup group-stage match against Uzbekistan, framing the encounter as a defining moment of national unity and pride.
In a statement published on the presidency’s official X account, Tshisekedi described the fixture as extending beyond sport, calling it a symbolic moment for national cohesion.
“This encounter is not just a football match. It is a moment of national unity, a moment when an entire people will look in the same direction, with the same passion, the same hope, and the same love for the flag,” he said.
The president said the national team, known as the Leopards, carried the hopes of more than 100 million Congolese citizens, both at home and across the diaspora.
“This Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Atlanta, you will not be alone,” he wrote. “Behind you will be our families, our youth, our elders, our provinces, our diaspora, our supporters, our soldiers, our workers, our children — all united behind you.”
The message comes as DR Congo prepare for a must-win encounter in Group K after collecting one point from their opening two matches, following a draw against Portugal and a narrow defeat to Colombia. A victory is required to keep alive hopes of progression to the knockout stage.
Uzbekistan also enter the match under pressure, having lost both of their opening fixtures. However, they remain mathematically in contention depending on results elsewhere in the group, adding further tension to the final round of fixtures.
The president’s appeal highlights the growing political and symbolic significance of the national team’s campaign, which has drawn widespread attention inside DR Congo amid rare World Cup qualification.
DR Congo secured their place at the tournament through the intercontinental play-offs after a difficult qualification campaign in Africa. The appearance marks their first World Cup participation since 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.
The government has increasingly used sporting achievements as a platform for national unity messaging, particularly in a country marked by political divisions and ongoing security challenges in its eastern regions.
Kick-off in Atlanta is expected to draw significant attention from the Congolese diaspora, with supporters hoping the team can extend their historic return to football’s biggest stage.
