The stakes are enormous as Cameroon and DR Congo meet at the Al-Barid Stadium on Thursday evening for a place in the final of the African four-team World Cup qualifying playoff. The winner will move one step closer to the 2026 World Cup, while the loser’s dream will come to an end.
This match marks the first meeting between the two nations since January 2021, when Cameroon edged out DR Congo 2-1 in the African Nations Championship quarter final.
Cameroon, who hold the record for the most World Cup appearances by any African nation, now face a challenging path toward what would be their ninth appearance on the global stage. The Indomitable Lions endured a mixed qualifying campaign that saw them surrender their lead in Group D after struggling to turn several draws into victories.
Their goalless stalemate against Eswatini on matchday five was a particularly disappointing result, followed by a costly 1-0 defeat to Cape Verde in round eight. Cameroon eventually finished the group stage with 19 points from 10 matches — five wins, four draws, and one defeat — leaving them four points behind group leaders Cape Verde.
A goalless draw against Angola on the final day confirmed that Marc Brys’s team would not qualify automatically, but their consistency still secured them a place among the top four second-placed teams, even after CAF’s rule excluding results against sixth-placed teams.
The Indomitable Lions can draw confidence from their impressive away record this year, having won four of their last five matches outside Cameroon. A win in Rabat would book them a spot in the playoff final against either Nigeria or Gabon.
For DR Congo, this match is equally decisive. The Leopards earned their spot among the top four runners-up with a final-day win over Sudan but were left to reflect on a golden opportunity missed.
Heading into round eight, they were one point clear at the top of Group B and looked on course for direct qualification. However, Sebastien Desabre’s men squandered a two-goal lead and lost 3-2 to Senegal, a defeat that ultimately cost them the top spot.
The Leopards finished the qualifiers with 22 points from 10 games — seven wins, one draw, and two defeats — just two points behind the Teranga Lions. They now face a difficult challenge against a team they have never beaten in nine previous meetings across all competitions, losing six and drawing three.
Interestingly, DR Congo’s record in World Cup qualifying encounters with Cameroon is more balanced, with three wins and four losses from nine meetings, showing this fixture has historically been tightly contested.
Whichever team triumphs in Rabat will advance to the playoff final on November 16. The winner of that game will then proceed to the Intercontinental Playoffs in March 2026, where the last two African spots for the expanded 48-team World Cup will be decided.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Cameroon coach Marc Brys has named a 27-man squad for the decisive playoff clash, bringing back several familiar faces to strengthen his team. Experienced midfielders Yvan Neyou and Jean Onana return to the fold, along with defenders Enzo Boyomo and Darlin Yongwa, all expected to add stability and depth to the side.
Samuel Kotto and Junior Tchamadeu have been left out, but the squad remains packed with top-level talent from clubs across Europe.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has rediscovered his form on loan at Trabzonspor, is expected to start between the posts. Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo is set to take up his usual role on the right wing, while Levante forward Karl Etta Eyong could lead the attack ahead of experienced strikers Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Vincent Aboubakar.
In midfield, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba will likely partner Napoli star Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, giving Cameroon a solid and dynamic presence in the center of the park. Most of the players who featured in the October qualifiers have been recalled, maintaining continuity in Brys’s setup.
For DR Congo, the challenge is made tougher by the absence of several key players. Brentford forward Yoane Wissa misses out due to a knee injury sustained in the loss to Senegal in September. Goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud, defender Dylan Batubinsika, midfielder Grady Diangana, and forwards Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu are also unavailable.
Cedric Bakambu remains Congo’s main attacking threat. He finished as the team’s top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals, leaving him just two short of Dieumerci Mbokani’s all-time national record. The veteran forward will be eager to close that gap when he leads the line in Rabat.
Head coach Sebastien Desabre is expected to stick with a familiar defensive unit featuring Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Lionel Mpasi likely to start in goal.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Cameroon possible starting lineup:
A Onana; Tchatchoua, Castelletto, Nouhou, Nagida; Avom, Baleba, Anguissa; Nkoudou, Eyong, Mbeumo
Congo DR possible starting lineup:
Mpasi; Masuaku, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka; Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe; Essende, Bakambu
EXPERT PREDICTION
Cameroon 2-1 DR Congo
