The veteran Gael Kakuta has been recalled to the DR Congo national team by coach Sebastien Desabre, who announced a 25-man squad for their return to the World Cup after a 50-year absence, according to Reuters.

Gael Kakuta Returns to National Team

Kakuta, who will turn 35 during the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, has played only twice for the Congolese team in the last two years. He was brought in as a replacement for a player who was injured at the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025 in Morocco.

He was not called up in March when the Congolese team became the tenth African nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, defeating Jamaica in a playoff match in Mexico, which suggested the end of his international career.

Kakuta is a former Chelsea wonderkid whose controversial transfer from France as a teenager did not lead to a successful career at Stamford Bridge. He has since played for 15 clubs in nine different countries.

Desabre has based the team on the squad that finished fourth at the 2023 CAN and reached the semifinals at the 2025 CAN.

"The team has formed itself as we have all been together for about four years. The World Cup is not a forum for experimentation or development," he said on Monday.

When DR Congo Last Played in the World Cup, the Country Was Known as Zaire

In Group K of the World Cup, DR Congo will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

"We want to play at our best level, and our goal is to advance beyond the group stage, which we believe is within our capabilities," added Desabre.

The country was known as Zaire when it last played in the World Cup in 1974 in West Germany, losing all three matches, including a 0-9 defeat to Yugoslavia.

DR Congo's Squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers:

  • Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege/Belgium)
  • Timothy Fayulu (Noah/Armenia)
  • Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre/France)

Defenders:

  • Dylan Batubinsika (Larissa/Greece)
  • Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian/Scotland)
  • Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol/Cyprus)
  • Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz/Poland)
  • Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk/Belgium)
  • Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens/France)
  • Chancel Mbemba (Lille/France)
  • Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley/England)
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United/England)

Midfielders:

  • Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow/Russia)
  • Brian Cipenga (Castellon/Spain)
  • Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor/Turkey)
  • Gael Kakuta (Larissa/Greece)
  • Edo Kayembe (Watford/England)
  • Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier/France)
  • Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos/Greece)
  • Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille/France)
  • Charles Pickel (Espanyol/Spain)
  • Noah Sadiki (Sunderland/England)

Forwards:

  • Cedric Bakambu (Betis Sevilla/Spain)
  • Simon Banza (Al Jazira/United Arab Emirates)
  • Fiston Mayele (Pyramids/Egypt)
  • Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United/England)

Info: Agerpres