Al-Barid Stadium, Morocco
Thursday, 13 November 2025
Kick-off: 10:00pm EAT
After missing out on automatic qualification, Cameroon and DR Congo meet in a high-stakes African play-off semi-final that keeps both nations alive in the long road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Cameroon arrive with history on their side, the Indomitable Lions have the most World Cup appearances of any African nation (8) and will be desperate to keep their hopes of a ninth alive. They finished second in their group, four points behind Cape Verde, who secured direct qualification.
DR Congo, who have not played at a World Cup since 1974, also come in wounded by missed opportunities. A 3–2 defeat to Senegal, after leading 2–0, cost them top spot and left them needing this play-off route to stay in the hunt.
Route and stakes
The winners of the Africa play-offs will advance to the six-nation Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament (23–31 March 2026) where they will join sides from CONMEBOL (Bolivia), OFC (New Caledonia) and representatives from Asia and CONCACAF for the final chance to qualify for Canada, Mexico & the United States 2026.
Before that long road, though, Cameroon must get past DR Congo in this semi-final — and if successful, they will face either Gabon or Nigeria in the African play-off final.
Team news
Marc Brys named a 27-man Cameroon squad that includes Manchester United loanee goalkeeper André Onana, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Napoli’s André-Franck Zambo Anguissa, striker Vincent Aboubakar and Brighton’s young midfielder Carlos Baleba, all expected to be key players if fit and firing.
DR Congo boss Sébastien Desabre will be without Yoane Wissa, injured in September and stretchered off against Senegal.
Other absentees from recent breaks include goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud, defender Dylan Batubinsika, midfielder Grady Diangana and forwards Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu.
Veteran forward Cédric Bakambu is expected to lead the line, while the experienced defensive core of Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be pivotal at the back.
Key stat
- Cameroon are unbeaten against DR Congo in the last nine meetings across all competitions (W6, D3).
- In World Cup qualifying head-to-heads they have met nine times, with Cameroon holding a narrow advantage (W4, L3, D2).
Probable lineups
Cameroon (probable)
Onana (GK); Tchatchoua, Castelletto, Nouhou, Nagida; Avom, Baleba, Anguissa; Nkoudou, Eyong, Mbeumo
DR Congo (probable)
Mpasi (GK); Masuaku, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka; Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe; Essende, Bakambu
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