The Democratic Republic of Congo has unveiled an extraordinary incentive for its national football team ahead of crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Each Leopards player stands to earn $1 million if they secure advancement to the intercontinental playoffs.
This bold announcement comes as DR Congo prepares to face Cameroon on November 13. The high-stakes match could set up a decisive playoff final against either Nigeria or Gabon. Government officials confirmed the bonus pledge follows direct orders from President Félix Tshisekedi.
Bonus Payment Details
Rawbank has been designated to transfer funds directly to qualifying players by November 16. This coincides with the African playoff final date. The financial reward exclusively covers squad members. Head coach Sébastien Desabre and technical staff are excluded.
Historic World Cup Pursuit
The incentive aims to motivate DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance since 1974. While most African teams play friendlies this month, DR Congo joins Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon in focusing solely on qualification. These four CAF-selected teams represent Africa’s top group stage runners-up.
Playoff Tournament Structure
A compact tournament in Morocco runs from November 13-16. It features single-leg semi-finals followed by a final. The victorious team progresses to March 2026’s inter-confederation playoffs. This maintains their World Cup dreams ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament across North America.
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