Veteran Gael Kakuta Selected for DR Congo's 2026 World Cup Squad
Veteran Gael Kakuta has received a call-up to the DR Congo squad for the 2026 World Cup, set to return to the global stage after more than half a century. The selection was made by coach Sébastien Desabre, who named 25 players for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
Kakuta, who will turn 35 during the World Cup, has only played two games for the Congolese national team in the past two years. Once a promising young talent at Chelsea, his career has seen him play for 15 clubs across nine countries, following a controversial transfer from France.
Desabre has largely kept the same squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and finished fourth. He emphasized that the team's cohesion and experience will be crucial in the upcoming World Cup.
“The squad has been chosen because we have been together for about four years. The World Cup is not a forum for experimentation or nurturing young players,” Desabre stated.
DR Congo is placed in Group K, where they will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. Desabre expressed his team's ambition to progress past the group stage.
“Our goal is to play at our best and advance beyond the first round, which I believe is well within our capabilities,” Desabre added.
DR Congo Squad:
Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu (Noa), Lionel Mpasi (Lyon Avr), Matiyo Epolo (Standard Liège)
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Jedon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Arthur Masuaku (Lans), Steve Kapuadi (Wisła), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Shancel Mbemba (Lille), Dylan Batubinsika (Larissa), Joris Kayembe-Ditu (Gent)
Midfielders: Noah Sadiq (Sunderland), Samuel Mutusami (Atromitos), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Ngalaïel Mukau (Lille), Charle Pickel (Espanyol), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Bryan Sipenga (Castellón), Theo Bongonkda (Spartak Moscow), Gael Kakuta (Larissa)
Forwards: Fiston Mwila (Pyramids), Cedric Bakambu (Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Joao Viçosa (Newcastle).
Images: Imago
This is insane! Kakuta's inclusion is a bold move, but Desabre knows what he's doing. Can Congo surprise everyone and make it past the group stage? Let's hope so!