The DR Congo national team will launch their 2025 World Cup preparations on Wednesday with a high-profile friendly against Denmark at the Stade de Liège in Belgium. For the Leopards, this match marks the beginning of a journey that ends a 52-year absence from football’s grandest stage, while for the Danes, it represents a chance to reset after a painful qualification campaign.
DR Congo’s last World Cup appearance came in 1974, when they were known as Zaire. That tournament ended in disappointment with three defeats and a 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia, but simply qualifying was a historic achievement. Now, after decades of near-misses and political turmoil, a talented generation has the nation dreaming of a deeper run in the expanded 48-team tournament.
The draw has not been kind, however. The Leopards find themselves in Group D alongside Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. It is a section that demands immediate cohesion and resilience. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and the attacking firepower of Colombia, DR Congo will need to be defensively solid and maximize set-piece opportunities – areas likely to be tested against a disciplined Danish side.
Denmark, meanwhile, will be watching the World Cup from home this summer. Their qualification campaign ended in heartbreak; they finished second in their group behind Scotland after a tense finale, then lost a playoff to the Czech Republic on penalties after a 2-2 draw. The defeat extended a bitter streak for a nation that reached the round of 16 in 2018 and the Euro 2020 semifinals but has now missed back-to-back World Cups.
Coach Brian Riemer, appointed in late 2024, is tasked with rebuilding a squad in transition. Several veteran stalwarts have retired or are approaching the end of their international careers, creating space for younger talents. This friendly in Liège is his first opportunity to experiment with tactics and personnel, with an eye on the 2028 European Championship qualification cycle.
The choice of Liège as the venue adds an intriguing layer. The city has a sizable Congolese diaspora, ensuring the Leopards will enjoy vocal support in what is technically a neutral setting. For DR Congo, the friendly atmosphere of a charged, pro-Congolese crowd could mimic the pressure cooker of tournament group stages, while Denmark will face a hostile environment that mirrors some of the challenges of away qualifying matches.
On the pitch, DR Congo boasts a blend of physicality and technical flair, with key forwards capable of troubling any defense and a midfield engine that balances creativity and grit. Defensively, the team has looked organized under coach Sébastien Desabre, but lapses on set pieces have been a recurring issue—something Denmark’s tall and physical lineup will look to exploit.
Denmark, under Riemer, is expected to deploy a familiar 4-3-3 shape, emphasizing high pressing and quick transitions. With several veteran midfielders stepping back, new creative outlets must emerge. This friendly will test Denmark’s ability to control possession and create chances against a side likely to defend deep and counter quickly.
A positive result for DR Congo would inject immense belief ahead of daunting group-stage tests, proving they can compete with European opposition. For Denmark, performance matters more than the scoreline. A cohesive display with clear tactical identity will signal that the rebuilding process is on track, while a disjointed outing could raise early alarm bells for the FA.
As both teams step onto the pitch in Liège, the stakes extend beyond a simple friendly. For the Congolese, it is a symbolic homecoming to the global stage after generations in the wilderness; for the Danes, it is the first step on a long road to redemption. The outcome may not count for points, but the narratives it shapes could resonate for years.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
