The race for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies on Thursday evening as Cameroon and DR Congo clash at the Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat in the semi-final of Africa’s four-team World Cup qualifying playoff.
This will be the first meeting between the two nations since January 2021, when the Indomitable Lions triumphed 2-1 over the Leopards in the African Nations Championship quarter-final.
Match Preview
Cameroon, Africa’s most experienced World Cup campaigners with eight appearances, must now navigate a demanding route to their ninth Mundial after an inconsistent qualifying run.
The Indomitable Lions lost their grip on Group D, failing to convert draws into wins — notably a goalless draw against Eswatini and a 1-0 defeat to Cape Verde, which ultimately saw them finish four points behind the Blue Sharks with 19 points (W5, D4, L1).
Despite missing out on automatic qualification, Marc Brys’s side secured a playoff berth among the top four second-placed nations, thanks to a disciplined finish that included a 0-0 draw against Angola in their final game. Cameroon also boast strong away form, having won four of their last five matches on foreign soil in 2025.
For DR Congo, the route to the playoffs was equally dramatic. The Leopards narrowly missed direct qualification after losing 3-2 to Senegal despite leading by two goals in the decisive Group B encounter. They ultimately finished two points behind the Teranga Lions, with 22 points (W7, D1, L2).
Historically, DR Congo have struggled against Cameroon, losing six of their nine previous meetings in all competitions. However, none of those defeats came in World Cup qualifiers, where encounters between the two have been more balanced.
The winner of this match will advance to face either Nigeria or Gabon in the playoff final, with the victor proceeding to the intercontinental playoffs in March — where the final two African slots for the expanded 48-team World Cup will be decided.
Form Guide
Cameroon (World Cup Qualifiers – Africa): D W W L W D
Cameroon (All Competitions): W D W L W D
DR Congo (World Cup Qualifiers – Africa): W W W L W W
DR Congo (All Competitions): W L W L W W
Team News
Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has called up a 27-man squad featuring several returnees, including midfielders Yvan Neyou and Jean Onana, and defenders Enzo Boyomo and Darlin Yongwa.
Andre Onana, back in form with Trabzonspor, is expected to start in goal, while Bryan Mbeumo will operate from the right wing. Upfront, Karl Etta Eyong is tipped to lead the line ahead of veterans Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, supported by a midfield pairing of Carlos Baleba and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
DR Congo will be without star forward Yoane Wissa, sidelined with a knee injury sustained in September. Other absentees include Dimitri Bertaud, Dylan Batubinsika, Grady Diangana, Jackson Muleka, and Afimico Pululu.
Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu, who finished as the Leopards’ top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals, is expected to lead the attack as he chases Dieumerci Mbokani’s all-time scoring record for DR Congo.
Head coach Sébastien Desabre is likely to maintain a solid backline featuring Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Lionel Mpasi in goal.
Predicted Lineups
Cameroon (4-3-3):
A. Onana; Tchatchoua, Castelletto, Nouhou, Nagida; Avom, Baleba, Anguissa; Nkoudou, Eyong, Mbeumo
DR Congo (4-4-2):
Mpasi; Masuaku, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka; Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe; Essende, Bakambu
Prediction: Cameroon 2–1 DR Congo
Both sides are rich in talent, but Cameroon’s superior pedigree, squad depth, and full-strength lineup could give them the edge in what promises to be a tightly contested affair.
