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Tuanzebe sends Congo DR to global finals

Congo DR punched their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in thrilling fashion as Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time winner downed Jamaica.

Congo DR 1-0 Jamaica (aet)

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Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara

Congo DR goal: Axel Tuanzebe (100)

Axel Tuanzebe will long live in Congo DR football lore after his extra-time goal against Jamaica delivered the Leopards their first FIFA World Cup™ qualification since 1974.

The defender escaped his marker on a corner kick in the additional frame and steered home a shot from a few metres out to send his country to the 2026 global finals.

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO - MARCH 31: Axel Tuanzebe of Congo DR celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off tournament final match between Congo DR and Jamaica at Estadio Guadalajara on March 31, 2026 in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Jamaica’s Andre Blake has been considered one of the best goalkeepers in the Concacaf region for the last decade and he displayed his pedigree throughout with composed saves against a Congo DR attack that had the Reggae Boyz on their heels for most of the day.

Blake was fortunate to not concede midway through the first half when a sizzling Meschack Elia right-footed effort struck the post and was eventually cleared. Jamaica were not without opportunities, however, with a Kasey Palmer shot being deflected out for a corner kick and Leon Bailey firing just wide from distance.

Jamaica's goalkeeper #01 Andre Blake gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)

After another Blake parry of a Cedric Bakambu curler, Jamaica started to gain a foothold in the second stanza and had a diving header from Bailey flash wide. Congo DR wrestled back control with their substitutions and pegged back the islanders in the final quarter-hour, pinging shots goalward, but nothing that bested Blake.

DR Congo's forward #13 Meschack Elia and Jamaica's defender #22 Ronaldo Webster fight for the ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final playoff football match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Jamaica at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan, Jalisco state, Mexico, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)

Blake and the Jamaican defence could only hold out for so long, and Tuanzebe made them pay for the slightest of lapses, setting off a Congolese celebration that will last until June.

Congo DR will now join Group K of the global finals, which includes Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan.

Quotes

“We’re happy, we’re really delighted. It was a difficult match today. Right now, I don’t think we fully realise it yet [that we are qualified], but when we get back to Kinshasa, it’s going to be crazy, and I can’t wait to see all the Congolese people back home. Congratulations to everyone — to my team-mates and to all Congolese people around the world.”
Cedric Bakambu, Congo DR striker

“We’re going to enjoy the qualification, but we’ll keep working. We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years. We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. It won’t be easy, but we’ll give everything to make our supporters and our people proud.”
Chancel Mbemba, Congo DR captain

“It’s very frustrating to lose like that, very frustrating. I want to learn from it, but it’s very frustrating. It’s tournament football — we’re just lacking a goal, that’s all. Right now, it’s difficult to take any positives from this experience, but once the emotions settle, we’ll be able to look back at it.”
Ephron Mason-Clark, Jamaica striker